The seven young men killed by the police on March 14.
A cry for a 'rush to justice'
THE EDITOR, Sir:
THERE IS much talk about the division in the society over Braeton and crime. But the question is: where is the division? Not in the inner city. The people there to whom I talk are very clear that the police were in the wrong at Braeton, and that Amnesty International and Jamaicans for Justice are right to speak out. The division is between inner city and some uptown people, who are the ones divided among themselves. This is terrible but hardly new.
As for Mr Knight's and Mr Patterson's criticism of Amnesty for its "rush to judgment" and not allowing "due process" what many people cry for is a little "rush to justice" and less of the PJ/KD version of due process. Justice for Michael Gayle, who was killed over a year ago and about whose death a coroner's inquest was held and blame apportioned, but persons are still to be even charged. Justice for the thousands killed by criminals. Justice for the thousands murdered by police this past decade experienced attorney Dennis Daly maintains that two out of every three police killings (which means over 90 last year) are murder or manslaughter. And was DSP Adams observing due process when at Braeton? Enough of that rubbish, Mr Knight and Mr Patterson!
If Pierre Sane's visit has done anything, it has helped bring into focus what many of us knew but few dared to say that it is not the police who are out of control, but this and previous governments.
It is to pressure the Government, therefore, that Amnesty is exposing internationally the human rights situation here, not to hurt the people or the nation. Many so-called "ordinary" Jamaicans clearly recognise this. If some economic hardship is the price we have to pay as did the people of South Africa as a result of the international condemnation of apartheid, in which Jamaica played an outstanding role to get our rights, then so be it.
This Government has to budge on Reneto Adams and the squads. A new policy is demanded, and a vision. And not all the efforts of P.J. Patterson, M. Henry-Wilson, A.J. Nicholson or R.G. Thwaites, to twist with their political bias, the message brought by Amnesty, can obscure this fact.
I am, etc.,
HORACE LEVY
E-mail: jenhal@n5.jm.com
Amnesty not arrogant
THE EDITOR, Sir:
PLEASE ALLOW me to respond to Rev. Roderick Hewitt's article published in your issue of April 16, 2001, and his subsequent news conference in the name of the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, on the recent Amnesty Report on the Breaton 7.
Firstly, as a life-long member of the United Church, Rev. Roderick "Son" Hewitt and the few misguided ministers around him do not speak for me on this issue, and maybe not even for the majority of the other members of the United Church.
The article and the press conference show the extent to which the Rev. Hewitt and the Church will go for publicity, and demonstrate their lack of understanding and sensitivity. It is sad that they seek to gain attention in such a manner, instead of preaching the gospel of Christ, and to carry out Christ's command to rescue the perishing, care for the dying, spread the word that Jesus is merciful and that Jesus will save.
The article exposes Rev. Hewitt's ignorance of Amnesty International's good work around the world and its solid reputation for honesty regardless of who may be offended. If one reviews Amnesty's record throughout the world, it would be evident.
For Rev. Hewitt to suggest that because of potential economic damage to Jamaica, Amnesty International should turn a blind eye and not bring to the attention of the world the injustices in Jamaica, and the massacre in Breaton, is something I would never have expected from someone who claims to be a minister of the gospel and a leader of a Church.
Amnesty held up a mirror, Rev. Hewitt and a failing church looked in it, they did not like what they saw, now they want to break the mirror.
I am, etc.,
C. EVERALD WARMINGTON
40 East Street
Old Harbour
United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands defends comments
THE EDITOR, Sir:
RECENT REPORTS and interpretations of the reports on the statement of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands have misrepresented the position of the church.
Resolutions coming out of the 32nd Synod stated among other things, the clear position of the church on the killings at Braeton, St. Catherine. The resolution states that, 'the Synod expresses its grief over the wanton loss of life that has enveloped Jamaica... this Synod views with abhorrence and dismay the illegal use of force by renegade police officers... the United Church calls upon the Government to ensure that a judicial commission be established to examine all police killings of civilians.'
In the news, prominence has been given to one aspect of the resolution, comments on the Amnesty International, almost to the complete exclusion of the other positions. We wish to stand by our comments regarding the disrespectful and confrontational approach employed by Amnesty International in the presentation of the report. We do not take issue with the content of a report which is in search of the facts of what occurred in Braeton. We are especially strong in our call for an independent investigation into what is now seen as irresponsible behaviour of policemen who were involved in the Braeton killing.
In the press conference we issued our support for Amnesty International in principle but believe they, like us, are not above criticism. The United Church is prepared to accept criticism but refuse to accept the view that when one criticises an institution one must be viewed as an enemy of the institution or that to criticise a human rights institution means one is against victims of human rights violations.
It is the intention of the United Church to seek justice, God's justice for all citizens of Jamaica.
THE UNITED CHURCH IN JAMAICA AND THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
'It would be insane to remove Adams'
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM amazed at the call in today's Gleaner (April 21) by nine organisations for the removal of Supt. Reneto Adams. Have they gone out of their heads! I hope the government does not bow to their demands. We need a fearless crime-fighter like Supt. Adams out there to put fear in the criminals' hearts.
Why are all these organisations sorry for the criminal elements out there? Are these criminals showing us sorrow by their daily murderous deeds? Certainly not. The criminals must be having a good laugh and saying to themselves "look how we have divided the society, even making the police out to be the criminals".
I wonder how many of the people in these organisations have even considered what it must be like to police the streets of this island. I can imagine: criminals shooting at you (to kill) on a regular basis, stressful working conditions, long working hours and lastly a non-sympathetic society. Do they think criminals walk with guns to make friends?
The police have to be fearless and put fear in the criminals, because when they have no fear, it is us the law-abiding citizens that feel the effects of these criminals. I think Mr. Adams is doing a superb job, just a sojourn in MoBay since this week and killings fell almost to zero. If Mr. Adams wasn't effective then I don't think the people of Spanish Town would be calling for him to be relocated there for their peace of mind.
If we remove one of the bastions of crime fighting, then we will be at the mercy of the cold-hearted, MERCILESS criminals. I hope these organisations have noted that polls have supported the work of the Crime Management Unit. I must say long live the CMU and Supt. Adams, and if I ever meet the gentleman, I will personally congratulate him and his team.
I am, etc.,
GERALD CAMERON
E-mail:
gcameron@cwjamaica.com
Kingston 10
