Jamaican AG in hot water
Tweets on rainbow flag go viral
In the aftermath of the deadliest shooting in U.S. history, Jamaica has been thrown into the spotlight following comments made by Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte in relation to a flag being flown on the compound of the U.S. Embassy in Kingston.
Malahoo Forte, in a personal social media post said while she condemned the recent mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, she disagreed with having the rainbow flag – a symbol of the LGBT community, being flown in Jamaica. The U.S. embassy in Kingston has been flying the U.S. flag at half staff, alongside the Rainbow flag, in a show of solidarity with the victims of the mass shooting.
“I strongly condemn the #OrlandoNightClubShooting, but I find it disrespectful of Jamaica laws to have #Rainbowflag flown here #Mypersonalview,” said Malahoo Forte in her message posted on Twitter.
The controversial post ignited heated responses and has since received widespread coverage by media outlets worldwide.
In response, the Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Joshua Polacheck, said the embassy is genuinely interested in knowing which laws were being disrespected.
“@mmalahooforte we’re listening. Explain the legal reasoning? It was an attack of terror !! and hate, targeting the LGBT community,” the US Embassy said in a tweet.
The issue has taken on a life of its own with many, including political commentator Calvin G. Brown saying the stance taken by the attorney general was wrong.
“As Jamaica’s Attorney General, she has no personal opinions in the public sphere and matters such as these, regardless of her opinion, cannot be personal. It is not only insensitive, but she must be informed as to the legalities of international law.”
Referring to Satow’s Guide to Diplomatic Practice, which states the land on which an embassy is built, belongs to that country, “in this instance, the U.S. Embassy in Kingston is on US soil,” said Brown.
The opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has also weighed in on the controversy, with its spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Dr. Morais Guy, calling on the Andrew Holness-led administration to clarify and, if necessary, apologize to the Government and people of the United States.
“The Opposition wishes to express its concern and surprise that the Jamaican Government has to be reminded that the conduct of business on premises on which Embassies and High Commissions are located must be regarded as business being conducted on foreign soil. What this signals, inter alia, is that a Government, through its Embassy, expressing condolences in solidarity with the families and connections of victims of a tragedy that has taken place in their country is entitled to do so by means that are legally allowed in their own country.”
Malahoo Forte has since backpedaled on her statement. She told the Jamaica Observer that the second part of her tweet was misconstrued.
“The horrible act of terror which resulted in so many deaths can never be condoned. I condemn it unreservedly and repeat by expression of deep sorrow and sympathy for the victims and their families.
