Excerpt from Jamaica Observer column | by Jean Lowrie-Chin | published Mon 24 Feb 2014
“No one is perfect’, and even more so, no law. The
Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Bill – commonly
referred to as anti-gang legislation – was passed in Jamaica’s House of
Parliament last Wednesday with 22 amendments. We have to agree with human
rights activists that this Bill could be tough on misguided young folks, as it
will see persons associated with gangs locked away for a very long time.
However the terrible crimes that are now being reported call for a strong
response.
 |
| Attorney General Patrick
Atkinson |
A JIS report on the passage of the Bill quotes Attorney General Patrick
Atkinson: “While it is understandable that civil society and persons are
concerned about their individual rights, we must bear in mind that this piece
of legislation will not exist in isolation …Indeed, when the police act under
it they still have to go to court and prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the
allegations against the particular person they take before the court are
proven.”
 |
| Delroy Chuck MP |
Guyana’s Stabroek News also reported on this development, and quoted former
justice minister Delroy Chuck, who “challenged his parliamentary colleagues to
dispense with political capital in order to dismantle criminal gangs”: “In this
Parliament, some of us, all of us, will have to be prepared to give up some
political capital to dismantle some of these garrisons. I think that we are
never going to fully break up the gangs until we agree, between us, both sides
and all politicians, that we must free the minds of our members in our
communities so that they respect how others exercise their vote.”
The report stated that some of Mr Chuck’s colleagues answered back, “Speak
for yourself.”
To which we would say, it
is time that all parliamentarians check themselves and their fellow MPs before
they wreck this country!
 |
| Dr Henley Morgan |
Our human rights activists, government agencies and
all concerned citizens must now move quickly to help protect at-risk
youth. We need to have more social
workers on the ground to counsel our young people and assist them in making
themselves employable. I would like to
recommend such sustainable models as Dr Henley Morgan’s Agency for Inner City
Renewal (AIR) in Trench Town, the St. Patrick’s Foundation in Olympic Gardens
and the Stella Maris Foundation in Grant’s Pen.
COMMENTS FROM THE JAMAICA OBSERVER WEBSITE
PARLIAMENT IS NOT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Am curious to know who was the politician who said "speak for
yourself" maybe he or she should be running the country, clearly that
person is one of virtue. (Sarcasm). Am not sure Mugabe is dissimilar
from any of our leaders enuh. He took over a country with wealth
(although unequally distributed) and turn it into one of the laughing
stock of the region. All the while retaining power. He, by his actions
kindly ask the those with knowledge/knowhow to leave the country etc
etc. Food for thought no? If I am wrong in my interpretation, please
correct me.
Say what you want about the USA but they do level the playing field
for their citizens. They respect their citizens (including minorities)
inalienable rights. Can't say the same about Jamaica.
Its full time all of them leave parliament, because all who are over
60, years have done their time, and should give way to the younger
generation of upcoming bright individuals. Get out of parliament old
heads, and give someone a chance to live.
It does not work like that. Those who aspires to lead our people must
be measured by the guiding principles of integrity, morality, and the
rule of law, not age.
If that is the yardstick, then every single pol should resign. Not one of them has a shred of integrity or morality
speak for yourself and leave the peoples choice.you cant decide for the people . unless you dont believe in democracy .
Do you really think having only the younger generation will provide a
stable government? It would be like the blind leading the blind if
you get where I am going.
Lie. Quietly unno love Mugabe. Once upon a 1978 it was pure love and
praises. What has happened is we have been proven wrong. And now we
get defesive becuase as 'oppressed' people, we are never to be wrong.
That's all folks!
Should the people of Zimbabwe seriously care to take the lecturing
from Jamaicans who lives in a country highly ranked among the Murder
Capitals of the world ?. As the saying goes "look a yard before you look
abroad".
Mugabe reminds me of Idi Amin. He was a Ugandan president known for his brutal regime while in power from 1971 to 1979.
Atleast mugabe show him true colours and you know exactly where you
stand with him. You know to stay clear, what I dont like is people who
sneak themselves around you, your people, and their country and pretend
to like them while secretly hurting them.
When the head of a criminal organisation was to be extradited, all
the MP's in the then govt sided to thwart the process. What a joke now
to hear these words from Chuck!
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LOL, he has change even Paul change his ways.What he need to do now is to bring andrew to church
