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Our job is to protect citizens from State abuse, say rights groups
HUMAN rights groups Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) and the Family Against State Terrorism (FAST) have moved to clear up a long-standing misconception that they are more concerned about the rights of criminals than law-abiding citizens.
For years, Jamaicans — fed up with the country's high crime rate — have berated rights groups when they speak out against perceived police abuse and fatal shootings within inner-city communities and for their silence when police officers lose their lives in the line of duty.
But the heads of JFJ and FAST — Dr Carolyn Gomes and Yvonne McCalla-Sobers respectively — who were guests at the Observer's Monday Exchange meeting of editors and reporters, said their purpose is to advocate for the preservation of the rights of all citizens in instances where there are reports of breach by the State and seek redress.
Gomes explained that there are already mechanisms in place — the police force, court system, and correctional service — to deal with criminals who breach the rights of law-abiding citizens.
"If you have somebody breaking down your door at night like Keith Clarke, what number do you call? 1-1-9?," Gomes asked.
"When it is the police, or the military in the case of Mr Clarke, who do you call? You don't have anywhere to call. That is where human rights groups operate, at that place where it's the power of the state against you. It's when the power of the state is against you that we have the problem," she emphasised.
Clarke, a chartered account, was shot dead in May at his Kirkland Heights home in St Andrew by members of the Jamaica Defence Force who were hunting former Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, who has since been extradited to the United States to face drug and gun-running charges.
"The State has the right to protect people from wrongdoers. Now when it comes to persons whose rights are being infringed by the very State, then where do they go? So, there is a narrow gap that we try to fill," added McCalla-Sobers.
Both women noted that their organisations are also motivated by the prospect of a better society for future generations, while noting that there can only be peace in a country where people's rights are respected and protected by the State.
"We have to do whatever we can," said McCalla-Sobers, "and the little bit that we do can be the wedge that opens the way, not just for ourselves but... for the seventh generation".
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...ts-groups_7796
HUMAN rights groups Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) and the Family Against State Terrorism (FAST) have moved to clear up a long-standing misconception that they are more concerned about the rights of criminals than law-abiding citizens.
For years, Jamaicans — fed up with the country's high crime rate — have berated rights groups when they speak out against perceived police abuse and fatal shootings within inner-city communities and for their silence when police officers lose their lives in the line of duty.
But the heads of JFJ and FAST — Dr Carolyn Gomes and Yvonne McCalla-Sobers respectively — who were guests at the Observer's Monday Exchange meeting of editors and reporters, said their purpose is to advocate for the preservation of the rights of all citizens in instances where there are reports of breach by the State and seek redress.
Gomes explained that there are already mechanisms in place — the police force, court system, and correctional service — to deal with criminals who breach the rights of law-abiding citizens.
"If you have somebody breaking down your door at night like Keith Clarke, what number do you call? 1-1-9?," Gomes asked.
"When it is the police, or the military in the case of Mr Clarke, who do you call? You don't have anywhere to call. That is where human rights groups operate, at that place where it's the power of the state against you. It's when the power of the state is against you that we have the problem," she emphasised.
Clarke, a chartered account, was shot dead in May at his Kirkland Heights home in St Andrew by members of the Jamaica Defence Force who were hunting former Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, who has since been extradited to the United States to face drug and gun-running charges.
"The State has the right to protect people from wrongdoers. Now when it comes to persons whose rights are being infringed by the very State, then where do they go? So, there is a narrow gap that we try to fill," added McCalla-Sobers.
Both women noted that their organisations are also motivated by the prospect of a better society for future generations, while noting that there can only be peace in a country where people's rights are respected and protected by the State.
"We have to do whatever we can," said McCalla-Sobers, "and the little bit that we do can be the wedge that opens the way, not just for ourselves but... for the seventh generation".
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...ts-groups_7796
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