Jamaica claims to stand in solidarity with other nations in its commitment to respect and preserve human rights of all its citizens. However, I am perturbed by the fact that the fundamental human rights and freedoms of law-abiding citizens are continuously hindered and violated, while the constitutional human rights of criminals and corrupt politicians are protected.
In light of the current Dudus-Manatt commission of enquiry, Dorothy Lightbourne and the Government of Jamaica are strongly of the view that the terms of the US extradition request of Christopher Coke, an alleged drug and gun trafficker, breached his constitutional rights, particularly freedom of expression, privacy and freedom of conscience.
Interestingly, this is the first time in the history of Jamaica that the Government has openly defended the constitutional rights of an alleged crime lord.
On the other hand, the constant breaching of the constitutional rights of people within vulnerable communities in Jamaica is never of such great concern or priority to the Government and Jamaican society, at large. What about the rights of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS discrimination? What about the said rights of gays and lesbians living in Jamaica? What about the rights of people living with disabilities?
misplaced priority
It is clear that the constitutional rights and freedom of accused gang lords and criminals are of top priority to the Government of Jamaica, and also to ensure that they are protected by all means. Shame! Shame!
Therefore, Jamaica's faith in fundamental rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, and in the equal rights of men and women is nonsensical and erroneous when a group of people or an individual is subjected to brutality and discrimination.
It is time for the Government of Jamaica to protect and preserve the human rights of ALL Jamaicans in the same way it protects the constitutional rights of reputed crime lords and criminal elements. Human rights are rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled.
I am, etc.,
DWAYNE BROWN
Duanyex@hotmail.com
ENDS
Some notes:
So with Mr. Maurice Tomlinson on a hiatus it seems for a while following the threatening email he received Mr. Brown has taken over duties in the letter writing campaign on behalf of probably JFLAG and himself. Wonderful message but sometimes one wonders why this zeal for unity occasioned with press releases and letters like this every now and again do not trickle down to the lgbt people on the ground through projects or interventions to unite the communities so represented by the advocacy group?
We also need a serious movements towards unity and tolerance urgently in our respective LGBTQI communities if we are to defeat the other problems that hit us from the mainstream. The elitism, community effemophobia, lesbophobia, bi-phobia, classism, masked homophobia (down-low denial) and other skisms that plague us here is slowly eating away at us and causing too much division, internal strife and greatly impeding the well needed progress.
see also:
Threat Issued To Letter Writing Activist …….
Mr. Tomlinson at this time of the struggle in Jamaica operates openly using his full name in his letters to both major newspapers and the email apparently is a response to a letter published in the Observer to a recent incident in Montego Bay where police officers raided a club and injured several persons.
Let us hope it was just a spoof although we as activists may not agree on the ways forward or have our own strong opinions on issues one thing is clear for all there must be the preservation of life, love and liberty.
My prayers are with you Mr. Tomlinson.
Peace and tolerance.
H
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