The bill deals specifically with the appointment of special coroners to deal expeditiously with killings of citizens by members of the state.

It is also an effort to improve transparency and accountability of the state and its agencies, through the establishment of an office of the special coroner. The office will exercise jurisdiction as coroner in relation to deaths occurring at the hands of agents of the state and will have jurisdiction in all parishes.

Case backlog

Speaking Friday in the Senate, Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne said, up to November 27, there was a 687-case backlog in coroner's courts, 182 of which involved reported killings by members of the security forces.

"There can be no question of the Government's support of our security forces ... but it is of great concern when a citizen dies as a result of our security forces or agents of the state," said Lightbourne.

She added: "When that happens, such matters must be investigated, with expedition and where it is found that the act of the agent of the state was unlawful, it must be dealt with quickly in pursuit of the protection of the rights of the citizens of this country."

There is currently one full-time coroner, who is based in Kingston and St Andrew.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com