The Parliamentary Opposition has joined the calls for swift action to find those behind the killing of eight year-old Danielle.
Danielle was taken from her school in Portmore on Thursday and later found with her throat slashed in the Kingston. She was found wandering along a Corporate Area street and taken by a morotist to Bustamante Hospital for Children, where she died Saturday morning.
Doctors had performed emergency surgery on Thursday in a bid to save her life.
Opposition Leader Mark Golding, in his response, described the killing of the child as "a despicable and depraved act of violence against this little girl."
He said it was also indicative of the extent to which the nation has failed in its duty to protect its children.
Opposition spokesperson on Justice Senator Donna Scott Mottley, in a statement on Saturday afternoon, characterised the abduction and murder of the child as "a deeply distressing and a shocking reminder of the urgent need for strengthened measures to ensure the safety and protection of our citizens, particularly children".
She added that the heinous act committed against little Danielle is utterly abhorrent and strikes at the core of the society.
She's urging the police to conduct a thorough investigation and quickly bring the perpetrators to justice.
Prime Minister
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Andrew Holness also responding to news of the death of Danielle Rowe, described it as "deeply disturbing, and barbaric."
The Prime Minister's response, released in a formal statement, reads in part:
"My heart goes out to Danielle's family and friends during this period of immense grief. The entire Jamaica must consider this a charge on our collective conscience. Anyone who has any information or knowledge of this incident should immediately inform the police. We cannot be silent or protect those responsible for this gruesome act. The society cannot surrender to wanton violence, and we must be unequivocal when violence is directed against our children."
Mr Holness noted that since the start of the year eight children have been murdered, and that three of them are younger than 12.
"Our indignation and intolerance of fatal violence must be expressed in the highest penalties as a deterrent and the stiffest punishment if the criminal was not deterred. My Government will not resile from using all the legal tools available to us in sending a clear message that violence of any form is unacceptable and in bringing perpetrators of violent crime to justice," - the Prime Minister declared.
He has also directed the Minister of Education & Youth to have all schools review their safety and security policies to ensure that "they are being effectively practiced to sure the safety of our children."
Jamaicans for Justice
The human rights organization, Jamaicans for Justice, also condemned the murder of eight year-old Danielle Rowe.
Mickel Jackson, Executive Director of JFJ, also implored persons with information to tell the police so that the family might get justice, noting that violent acts against children "is not something that we should condone at all."
"Even though we don't know Danielle, this is something that brings tears to all of us, so we can only pray and hope that justice will be swift for the perpetrator," she said.
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