The Public Defender’s (PD) recommendations to the Tivoli Commission of Enquiry has been posted on the Office of the Public Defender’s website (opd.gov.jm). I am not aware if it has been published in any of our local newspapers, but if it has not, it is certainly my opinion that it ought to be, given that this incident is of such national importance, especially as it relates to the respect for human rights.
PD Arlene Harrison Henry should be commended for the soundness of her recommendations submitted, especially because it has been done concisely with obvious sincerity, empathy and compassion, particularly regarding those who lost family members and for those whose rights have been trampled on by the State.
It is of particular significance that the PD is calling for a public apology to be made by the Government of Jamaica “…to the nation and people of West Kingston, for the unlawful acts committed against them by the security forces on May 24-26 2010… The disproportionate manner of the execution caused death, bereavement, injury, trauma and loss and damage to property and business…”
Three of the PD’s 24 recommendations are repeated in parts below, and for which I feel fairly confident that most sound-thinking Jamaicans will have cause for concern:
“8) … the incursion in Tivoli Gardens was a failed operation in both forces — JDF and JCF.
“9) … JDF used highly lethal mortar munitions in the form of high-explosive rounds and that the chief of defence, who personally accepted responsibility, should be held criminally responsible.
“10) That the commission recommends that the use of high-explosive mortar ammunition be strictly prohibited, and shall never be used against any community, urban or rural.”
It is my sincere hope that all of the PD’s recommendations to the Tivoli Commission of Enquiry will be accepted and will form a part of the commission’s report when it is submitted by the promised April 2016; and that the Government will move immediately to not only make the report public, but also facilitate the implementation of the same.
Colonel Allan Douglas
Kingston 10
alldouglas@aol.com
PD Arlene Harrison Henry should be commended for the soundness of her recommendations submitted, especially because it has been done concisely with obvious sincerity, empathy and compassion, particularly regarding those who lost family members and for those whose rights have been trampled on by the State.
It is of particular significance that the PD is calling for a public apology to be made by the Government of Jamaica “…to the nation and people of West Kingston, for the unlawful acts committed against them by the security forces on May 24-26 2010… The disproportionate manner of the execution caused death, bereavement, injury, trauma and loss and damage to property and business…”
Three of the PD’s 24 recommendations are repeated in parts below, and for which I feel fairly confident that most sound-thinking Jamaicans will have cause for concern:
“8) … the incursion in Tivoli Gardens was a failed operation in both forces — JDF and JCF.
“9) … JDF used highly lethal mortar munitions in the form of high-explosive rounds and that the chief of defence, who personally accepted responsibility, should be held criminally responsible.
“10) That the commission recommends that the use of high-explosive mortar ammunition be strictly prohibited, and shall never be used against any community, urban or rural.”
It is my sincere hope that all of the PD’s recommendations to the Tivoli Commission of Enquiry will be accepted and will form a part of the commission’s report when it is submitted by the promised April 2016; and that the Government will move immediately to not only make the report public, but also facilitate the implementation of the same.
Colonel Allan Douglas
Kingston 10
alldouglas@aol.com