JFJ seeks meeting with gov't reps to discuss preventative detention

Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) has written to the attorney general and the minister of national security, requesting a meeting to discuss concerns about the proposed use of preventative detention in Jamaica.
   
JFJ, among other things, wants the Government of Jamaica to clarify the guidelines and the response mechanism for breaches of human rights with unwarranted detention.

"We will only be in a situation to introduce enhanced detention once we address the long standing gaps and if we are unable to address those longstanding gaps, then there's a serious human rights risk. So I think the priority of the government in that regard must be to first fix the existing detention breach that currently exists, before it cuts back on the rights that protect you and (me)," said Rodje Malcolm, Advocacy Manager at Jamaicans For Justice.
   
The use of preventative detention by the police is among the measures announced last week by Prime Minister Andrew Holness to help tackle the country’s crime problem.  
                                                             
The measure allows the police to detain people who are suspected to be about to commit an offence.