Dear Editor,
I read with disbelief the report in the Jamaica Observer about the rejection by the PNPYO of the decision to hold an enquiry into the Tivoli Gardens incursion and the resultant killings. The position of the PNPYO is both alarming and disappointing.
On what basis has the PNPYO rejected an enquiry? Is it because the victims are "labourites" or just poor ghetto people and therefore are not deserving of the effort to clarify for all Jamaicans the entire incident?
I would advise the PNPYO to broaden its perspective and to consider that injustice to one set of Jamaicans is an injustice to all Jamaicans. It may be the sons of Tivoli residents today, but whose son tomorrow?
That being said, we cannot conclude with any certainty if there were injustices carried out unless resources are allocated for unearthing the truth by a non-partisan entity. Certainly, we cannot prematurely close the file on the over 70 people who died and the many other allegations of atrocities.
I am in agreement with the youth organisation's suggestion of providing counselling, private interventions and government support, but it's far from sufficient. This is not about flogging dead horses, as the PNPYO is reported to have said. That suggestion is an insult to the victims and the country should hold the PNP leadership accountable if that language is not condemned.
This is just not distasteful coming from the PNPYO, it is disgraceful. I hope sober members of the PNP establishment move to enlighten these youth on the importance of standing up for those in our society who are disenfranchised.
Vinton Grant
rugsdat@ppeoj.org
Why reject the enquiry, PNPYO?
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I read with disbelief the report in the Jamaica Observer about the rejection by the PNPYO of the decision to hold an enquiry into the Tivoli Gardens incursion and the resultant killings. The position of the PNPYO is both alarming and disappointing.
On what basis has the PNPYO rejected an enquiry? Is it because the victims are "labourites" or just poor ghetto people and therefore are not deserving of the effort to clarify for all Jamaicans the entire incident?
I would advise the PNPYO to broaden its perspective and to consider that injustice to one set of Jamaicans is an injustice to all Jamaicans. It may be the sons of Tivoli residents today, but whose son tomorrow?
That being said, we cannot conclude with any certainty if there were injustices carried out unless resources are allocated for unearthing the truth by a non-partisan entity. Certainly, we cannot prematurely close the file on the over 70 people who died and the many other allegations of atrocities.
I am in agreement with the youth organisation's suggestion of providing counselling, private interventions and government support, but it's far from sufficient. This is not about flogging dead horses, as the PNPYO is reported to have said. That suggestion is an insult to the victims and the country should hold the PNP leadership accountable if that language is not condemned.
This is just not distasteful coming from the PNPYO, it is disgraceful. I hope sober members of the PNP establishment move to enlighten these youth on the importance of standing up for those in our society who are disenfranchised.
Vinton Grant
rugsdat@ppeoj.org
Why reject the enquiry, PNPYO?
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