PM announces initiatives to tackle crime
The Jamaican government will formally apologise to the victims of state inflicted violence – the Coral Gardens incident that occurred in 1963 and the Tivoli Gardens incursion of 2010.
This was announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday as he made his contribution to the 2017/2018 budget debate in Parliament.
“We have been taking concrete steps to reduce the acceptance and use of violence n the society – first the government must set the example. The wrongs of the past must be acknowledged and an apology offered to the victims … on behalf of the Jamaican state and in my capacity as Prime minister I will make the apology in Parliament to the victims….”
Several years ago the Public Defender had recommended the apology in respect of the Coral Gardens incident during which several civilians and a policeman were killed.
Several Rastafarians were also detained, beaten and had their locks removed by agents of the state and eventually many were sent to prison.
In Tivoli Gardens, 70 civilians were killed in the incursion of 2010 to capture then fugitive Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke. A report from a Commission of Inquiry recommended, among other things, , financial compensation for those who were victimized by the state.
The Commission also asked the government to issue a formal apology for the excesses of the security forces.
Another measure to be taken by the government in the fight against crime and violence is that of abolishing corporal punishment in schools.
“The government will amend the Education Act to explicitly prohibit corporal punishment in schools. Already several of our laws prohibit corporal punishment for children in early childhood institutions and places of safety. It is now time for the alternative systems of discipline in our schools. We must teach our children by example that violence is not the only way to correct wrong, bring order or instill positive behaviour”.
He also said that a national campaign to promote peace building, to increase the awareness of the society against violence and reduce the use of violence in all its forms.
Turning to the recently announced tax package – the Prime Minister defended the J$13.5 million package and responded to accusations from the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) that the it is “wicked” and is being used to pursue ill-conceived income tax relief promise that helped the Jamaica Labour Party to win the 2016 general election.
The Prime Minister called for unity – “There comes a time when we are all in this boat together and you have to trust the captain of the boat. The captain has to listen …that’s how he will know if there’s an iceberg ahead and if the ship is about the sink. What leadership has to do in difficult circumstances is to always appeal to the best in people and we are appealing to the best in the Jamaican people,” he said.
