Dear Editor,
It is very important that in this relatively young country the integrity of our institutions be preserved and strengthened. Integrity, however, can never be preserved in Jamaica if our fledgling institutions are not held up to close scrutiny/investigation and publicly made accountable for their actions.
I know, for instance, that many regard public institutions as some sort of sacred cow, and that criticism of these institutions, especially by serving or former members, is perceived as an act of disloyalty. I hold no such apprehension, and maintain that those who condone or wish to cover up some misgivings are, in fact, being disloyal to such institutions because, ultimately, the very fibre of the institutions they mistakenly seek to protect will be weakened due to the loss of integrity.
I know, for instance, that many regard public institutions as some sort of sacred cow, and that criticism of these institutions, especially by serving or former members, is perceived as an act of disloyalty. I hold no such apprehension, and maintain that those who condone or wish to cover up some misgivings are, in fact, being disloyal to such institutions because, ultimately, the very fibre of the institutions they mistakenly seek to protect will be weakened due to the loss of integrity.
Integrity comes from the Latin word integra, meaning to be whole or unbroken. An institution that loses its integrity loses its wholesomeness and becomes ill-disciplined and consequently ineffective.
So, as we set about selecting commissioners for the long-overdue inquiry into the 2010 Tivoli security forces' incursion, in which 73 Jamaicans were killed, let us set out to uncover the truth of what took place during that operation.
Undoubtedly, our security forces will come under very close scrutiny, and rightly so. Our leaders should not be fearful of that. It will not destroy the JDF or JCF. If anything, it will strengthen them in the long term. I would be surprised and disappointed if the JDF or JCF resisted any efforts of the inquiry to uncover the truth of all aspects of the operation. Their leaders would be doing a disservice to the integrity of their institutions, and by extension to Jamaica. Any attempt, therefore, on their part to withhold the facts under the usual shield of national security should be viewed as an act of disloyalty and should be met with public outrage.
In its effort to get at the truth, the inquiry should not set out to be adversarial, but rather to be inquisitorial. As much as we all enjoyed the brilliance of the lawyers in the Mannatt inquiry, we cannot have a repeat performance of two sides pitted against each other. The Tivoli inquiry should not be a legal contest, and hopefully the commissioners will be meticulous in their efforts so that, at the end, we can learn from the mistakes and introduce measures to prevent a recurrence.
I would be very surprised if the JDF has not already done its own investigation. If not, how would their commanders know what went right or wrong at every level?
If we truly love and value the future of our country, we must demand full disclosure. We should dismiss any scenario in which the truth is camouflaged by the persistent assertion that "for security reasons information cannot be provided". Such an assertion should be treated as nothing less than an expression of disloyalty.
This inquiry, therefore, should not put individuals on trial, but unequivocally and transparently seek the truth. Here is a wonderful opportunity to engender the public's confidence in inquiries of this nature by conducting it with integrity and objectivity, and not merely attempting to score political points, while the majority of disenchanted Jamaicans look on in disgust.
Let us show the world that we are not afraid of the truth, and that we are building a solid future for Jamaica by preserving the integrity of our public institutions.
Colonel Allan Douglas
A matter of integrity
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It is very important that in this relatively young country the integrity of our institutions be preserved and strengthened. Integrity, however, can never be preserved in Jamaica if our fledgling institutions are not held up to close scrutiny/investigation and publicly made accountable for their actions.
I know, for instance, that many regard public institutions as some sort of sacred cow, and that criticism of these institutions, especially by serving or former members, is perceived as an act of disloyalty. I hold no such apprehension, and maintain that those who condone or wish to cover up some misgivings are, in fact, being disloyal to such institutions because, ultimately, the very fibre of the institutions they mistakenly seek to protect will be weakened due to the loss of integrity.
I know, for instance, that many regard public institutions as some sort of sacred cow, and that criticism of these institutions, especially by serving or former members, is perceived as an act of disloyalty. I hold no such apprehension, and maintain that those who condone or wish to cover up some misgivings are, in fact, being disloyal to such institutions because, ultimately, the very fibre of the institutions they mistakenly seek to protect will be weakened due to the loss of integrity.
Integrity comes from the Latin word integra, meaning to be whole or unbroken. An institution that loses its integrity loses its wholesomeness and becomes ill-disciplined and consequently ineffective.
So, as we set about selecting commissioners for the long-overdue inquiry into the 2010 Tivoli security forces' incursion, in which 73 Jamaicans were killed, let us set out to uncover the truth of what took place during that operation.
Undoubtedly, our security forces will come under very close scrutiny, and rightly so. Our leaders should not be fearful of that. It will not destroy the JDF or JCF. If anything, it will strengthen them in the long term. I would be surprised and disappointed if the JDF or JCF resisted any efforts of the inquiry to uncover the truth of all aspects of the operation. Their leaders would be doing a disservice to the integrity of their institutions, and by extension to Jamaica. Any attempt, therefore, on their part to withhold the facts under the usual shield of national security should be viewed as an act of disloyalty and should be met with public outrage.
In its effort to get at the truth, the inquiry should not set out to be adversarial, but rather to be inquisitorial. As much as we all enjoyed the brilliance of the lawyers in the Mannatt inquiry, we cannot have a repeat performance of two sides pitted against each other. The Tivoli inquiry should not be a legal contest, and hopefully the commissioners will be meticulous in their efforts so that, at the end, we can learn from the mistakes and introduce measures to prevent a recurrence.
I would be very surprised if the JDF has not already done its own investigation. If not, how would their commanders know what went right or wrong at every level?
If we truly love and value the future of our country, we must demand full disclosure. We should dismiss any scenario in which the truth is camouflaged by the persistent assertion that "for security reasons information cannot be provided". Such an assertion should be treated as nothing less than an expression of disloyalty.
This inquiry, therefore, should not put individuals on trial, but unequivocally and transparently seek the truth. Here is a wonderful opportunity to engender the public's confidence in inquiries of this nature by conducting it with integrity and objectivity, and not merely attempting to score political points, while the majority of disenchanted Jamaicans look on in disgust.
Let us show the world that we are not afraid of the truth, and that we are building a solid future for Jamaica by preserving the integrity of our public institutions.
Colonel Allan Douglas
A matter of integrity
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