Dear Editor,
I listened to an interesting one-hour radio interview on Nationwide News recently with Paul Stephens, the Jamaican pilot who was imprisoned in Qatar. There are usually many sides to a story, but when I first heard about this, I immediately assumed the accuser and mother were Qatar nationals, which would've likely given them more status in the trial. Stephens clarified that the minor and mom were Canadian-Trinidadians. He also said he appeared at court sessions alone, without the accuser and mom, and without the cops. Yet he was convicted of "of endangering a minor", a watered-down version of the original charge.
He also said the woman and family left Qatar after the incident. The doctor who examined the minor allegedly found no medical basis to support the accusation, yet this was not factored in. The very basics of the case, which could've been easily verified, suggest there was no case.
All things considered, the Government of Jamaica, through its Foreign Affairs Ministry and diplomatic channels, could've provided greater assistance to Stephens, a Jamaican, who was in dire need. The delay in obtaining emergency travel documents to return to Jamaica upon his release was also a concern. We understand family and friends reached out for Government assistance, through letters and calls, but to no avail.
The story doesn't add up, and truth is Paul Stephens could've been any Jamaican — stranded and desperate for help. I believe Minister A J Nicholson did respond to Stephens' phone call harshly, as news reports have him saying: "There is nothing else I can do for you, and next time you call, make sure you know who you're calling." This seems disgraceful.
A word of advice to Jamaicans, anywhere you go, especially unfamiliar places, there can be vast differences in laws, customs, cultures, and it is important to always be cautious and aware. People should also be cautious when taking on the the responsibilty for other people's children. In some cultures, all it takes is an allegation to ruin a life and career. A colleague of mine who works for an airline overseas told me he often deals with unaccompanied minors when flights are delayed, missed, or if they aren't picked up on time, sometimes late at night. As manager, he ensures two airline representatives (opposite gender) are present with the minor until suitable arrangements can be made.
I must commend those Jamaicans who didn't know Stephens yet selflessly reached out and helped him. This included a justice of the peace who reportedly travelled all the way to Qatar. The Government of Jamaica, on the other hand, should bow its head in shame on this one. Or tell us the full story to justify their inaction.
P Chin
chin_p@yahoo.com
Foreign Affairs Ministry needs to respond!
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I listened to an interesting one-hour radio interview on Nationwide News recently with Paul Stephens, the Jamaican pilot who was imprisoned in Qatar. There are usually many sides to a story, but when I first heard about this, I immediately assumed the accuser and mother were Qatar nationals, which would've likely given them more status in the trial. Stephens clarified that the minor and mom were Canadian-Trinidadians. He also said he appeared at court sessions alone, without the accuser and mom, and without the cops. Yet he was convicted of "of endangering a minor", a watered-down version of the original charge.
He also said the woman and family left Qatar after the incident. The doctor who examined the minor allegedly found no medical basis to support the accusation, yet this was not factored in. The very basics of the case, which could've been easily verified, suggest there was no case.
All things considered, the Government of Jamaica, through its Foreign Affairs Ministry and diplomatic channels, could've provided greater assistance to Stephens, a Jamaican, who was in dire need. The delay in obtaining emergency travel documents to return to Jamaica upon his release was also a concern. We understand family and friends reached out for Government assistance, through letters and calls, but to no avail.
The story doesn't add up, and truth is Paul Stephens could've been any Jamaican — stranded and desperate for help. I believe Minister A J Nicholson did respond to Stephens' phone call harshly, as news reports have him saying: "There is nothing else I can do for you, and next time you call, make sure you know who you're calling." This seems disgraceful.
A word of advice to Jamaicans, anywhere you go, especially unfamiliar places, there can be vast differences in laws, customs, cultures, and it is important to always be cautious and aware. People should also be cautious when taking on the the responsibilty for other people's children. In some cultures, all it takes is an allegation to ruin a life and career. A colleague of mine who works for an airline overseas told me he often deals with unaccompanied minors when flights are delayed, missed, or if they aren't picked up on time, sometimes late at night. As manager, he ensures two airline representatives (opposite gender) are present with the minor until suitable arrangements can be made.
I must commend those Jamaicans who didn't know Stephens yet selflessly reached out and helped him. This included a justice of the peace who reportedly travelled all the way to Qatar. The Government of Jamaica, on the other hand, should bow its head in shame on this one. Or tell us the full story to justify their inaction.
P Chin
chin_p@yahoo.com
Foreign Affairs Ministry needs to respond!
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