16 year old terrorism related suspect gets support from Children's Advocate

The Office of  the Children's Advocate has indicated that it is monitoring the 16-year-old boy who has been detained by the police on suspected terrorism related activities.

Children's Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison states that her office has taken measures to ensure that his rights are secured. 

The teen was denied entry into Suriname on the weekend based on a suspicion that he was headed to meet up with ISIS militants.

Since his return to Jamaica he has been under intense investigation.  Mrs Gordon Harrison told RJR News her office was notified on Saturday, and a legal officer was assigned to assist the process. They are keeping a watchful eye to ensure transparency and fairness. 

"We again were in touch with them Sunday, and we also had discussions yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday) again at the formal question and answer session," she told RJR News, stressing that it was important "to ensure that all the protocols that ought to be observed, to ensure that there is fairness, transparence and no rights breaches are being observed."

Meanwhile, Mrs Gordon Harrison says her office will also be probing the matter involving the teenager. This is to determine whether the allegations have merit, and if  there is an issue involving other teens that needs to be examined.

"Apart from this single issue, we are looking really with a view to getting a better understanding as to whether or not there is actually a threat and also how pervasive that is, how real it is, so that we can see what really is happening in terms of the potential targeting of our adolescents here in Jamaica."