International human rights group files petition relating to death of Dwayne Jones

A human rights group called International Human Rights Advocates (IHRA) has filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, alleging that Jamaica breached its human rights obligations by failing to adequately investigate the killing of  transgender teenager Dwayne Jones.
    
In the petition, dated February 1, 2016, the group is asking the Commission to investigate the matter.
    
Dwayne Jones was reportedly killed in 2013 by a mob in St. James, after being exposed as a man who had attended a party dressed as a woman.
    
The 24-page petition alleges, among other things, that Jamaica’s investigation of Dwayne Jones’ murder was neither prompt  nor thorough; that it suffered from a lack of resources, professionalism and expertise; failed to  provide protection from intimidation and violence for witnesses; and did  not bring to justice persons identified by the investigation as having taken part in Dwayne Jones’  murder.         
    
The petitioners claim that, by failing to conduct an exhaustive, serious and effective investigation, Jamaica has violated  its obligations and Dwayne Jones’ rights, under the American Convention on Human Rights, including the Right to life, Right to a  Fair Trial,  Rights of the  Child, Right to Equal Protection, and the Right to Judicial  Protection. The petitioners are asking the Commission to investigate its allegations, to declare that Jamaica is in violation of its human rights obligations, and to make suitable recommendations.
    
They are asking the Commission to recommend  the  establishment of an international group of independent experts to oversee a  renewed investigation of Dwayne Jones’ murder, the adoption of measures  to eradicate anti-LGBT discrimination and violence  and to ensure equal protection of the law, and to recommend the repeal of all laws which criminalize  homosexuality and thereby violate the American Convention.

International Human Rights Advocates describes itself as a non-governmental, nonprofit organization, located in Washington, D.C., "that provides legal support, lobbying assistance, and government relations services to individuals and human rights groups in the United States and abroad."