JFJ lobbies for national human rights institution to replace public defender

By Kimone Witter    

 

Human Rights lobby group, Jamaicans for Justice, has renewed its call for the establishment of a National Human Rights Institution to replace the Office of the Public Defender.

 

JFJ Executive Director Mickel Jackson argues that, while well-intentioned, the OPD, has limitations in its mandate and powers.

 

Ms. Jackson further argues that the recommendation of the Constitutional Reform Committee that the office be entrenched in the Constitution is not ideal as the OPD is in need of reform.

 

As World Human Rights Day is commemorated today, Ms. Jackson is calling for the government to take concrete steps to establish a National Human Rights Institution. 

 

"Right now, we hear that the Public Defender, which is still an Interim Act, will be entrenched in the Constitution, which means it will get greater protection. The fear that JFJ has - while we welcome this announcement - is that what will be entrenched is an institution that is in need of strengthening. So we are asking for the Constitutional Reform Committee to accept JFJ's recommendation for the Public Defender's office to be established and broadened in scope, to become a national human rights institution that has strong resources, strong institutional framework to promote and protect our human rights," she proposed. 

 

Ms. Jackson, who was was speaking Tuesday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106, said Jamaica has made significant progress in the protection of human rights of its citizens, with the establishment of institutions such as the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) and the Integrity Commission. 

 

"However, I fear that if it is that there is not that high level of civic participation and understanding of the issues, then we may face regression in the gains that we've made. I think when we also look at the fact that we operate in a high crime environment, I think far too many of us are willing to say, listen, crime rate is high; let us give up some of the freedoms of others...so that we can tackle this crime monster. And I think we often say that without fulsomely appreciating that freedoms that are hard fought may be easily lost," she warned.

 

The JFJ executive director said the group wants to continue greater public education on the issues.