Diaspora leader defends letter criticising Jamaican government

By Kimone Witter    

 

Chairman of the Jamaica Diaspora Crime Intervention and Prevention Task Force Dr. Rupert Francis has defended the contents of a letter criticising the government on a number of issues and serving notice to seek redress internationally.

 

The letter, dated December 27, and sent to Jamaica's ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, outlines grave concerns about the increasing state of public corruption in Jamaica; high level of violent crime; failure to provide promised service delivery; unfulfilled promises to the diaspora regarding its involvement in the political process and the legal defence that diaspora members do not have standing to sue the government.

 

Dr. Francis said the letter, penned on behalf of concerned Jamaicans living in Jamaica and the diaspora, is a call to action.

 

But the document, which has been widely circulated on social media, indicating a plan to engage the country's international partners to seek redress for inaction on the grievances, is getting push back from some members of the diaspora.

 

Speaking with the Gleaner, elected representative for UK South of the Global Jamaica Council Nathaniel Peat said it undermines efforts to solicit investments.

 

But Dr. Francis, while supporting the dissenting voice, expressed disagreement with the position. 

 

"I respect his views, but I do not agree that it is a handrance to any investment coming into Jamaica.... As a matter of fact, this will increase investment once people know that their money is safer... the banks are safe and all that sort of thing. I mean, look at what happened at SSL. It's a disgrace, and nobody has done anything really about it," he argued. 

 

Dr. Francis said the task force decided to go this route out of love for Jamaica and failed efforts to have meaningful dialogue about the issues. 

 

"We have made many overtures over the years to the ministry about our concerns and we have met with no success in that regard. We have gone out of our way to make them understand that we are Jamaicans. We love Jamaica. We want the best of it," he said. 

 

Dr. Francis, who was a guest Thursday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106, also disagreed with the stance that the plan to stage peaceful protests across the diaspora will promote a negative image of Jamaica.

 

The protests will be conducted at Jamaican Government official establishments in the US, UK and Canada with the aim of garnering international media attention.

 

Dr. Francis said the protests can have a positive effect as it will bring greater awareness to the issues and could force action.