PRESS RELEASES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
July 30, 2008
The Government's Anti-Crime Plan
The Council of the
Jamaican Bar Association takes note of the Government’s anticrime plan
and is in the process of studying the individual components. There has
been a sharp increase in serious crime that has had a negative impact on
law abiding citizens from all strata of life. We recognize the need for
a comprehensive and firm plan for reducing crime and thus improving the
quality of life for all. While we give further consideration to the
details we wish to note some relevant facts and restate the following
broad principles.
Historically the nation has been faced with such crises from time to
time and the response, in the main, has been devising extraordinary
measures which have the effect of curtailing the rights of all citizens
and reducing constitutional protections which are essential to
preservation of this young democracy. Experience has shown that,
although in the short term more persons are arrested, charged and even
convicted with the introduction of such measures, they have had no long
term impact on stemming crime and have resulted in injustice and often
reduce confidence in law enforcement; a situation that itself
contributes to increased crime.
We remain convinced that a comprehensive approach, including social
re-engineering, poverty alleviation, reduction of criminal influence on
political and governmental activity and rehabilitation must be
implemented if long term results are to be achieved.
We also reiterate our commitment to the constitutional principles of the
separation of powers and that the citizens’ rights are not to be
interfered with or abbreviated without reasonable cause and credible
evidence. We further emphasize that the institution best qualified to
make assessments relative to deprivation of civil liberties is the Court
and not police officers no matter how senior their rank.
We are therefore extremely apprehensive of any measure introduced
whereby the right to bail and/or the discretion and the responsibility
to weigh evidence is left to any special interest group be they for the
defence or the prosecution. The court’s power to determine issues of
bail or lengths of sentencing on conviction should not be effectively
taken away or be reduced.
We further believe that emphasis needs to be placed on strengthening the
police’s investigative resources rather than according to them
discretions which ought properly to be reposed in judicial authority
whose insulation from influence and independence is protected by the law
and the Constitution.
Other Press Releases
June 27, 2008
Response to Gleaner Article calling Attorneys 'Hustlers'
June 19, 2008
Opposition to Detention of Persons for Extended Periods Without Charge