No state of emergency to quell crime in Jamaica

Friday, February 6, 2004

KINGSTON, Jamaica: The Jamaican Government has no intention of introducing a State of Emergency as a means of quelling crime and violence, according to Carol Palmer, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice.

Speaking at the opening of the Commonwealth Workshop on Human Rights Defenders for the Caribbean Region, Ms Palmer said that the Government was firmly of the view that a State of Emergency would be too damaging to the rights of individuals, given that it would allow, for example, arbitrary detention without trial. 

The increase in violent crimes has prompted calls for the introduction of a State of Emergency from persons who think that the measure would not only curb the crime rate but also restore confidence in law-abiding citizens. 

The Prime Minister has however, consistently declined to accept that line of reasoning and has pointed to the importance of balancing individual and societal rights, even as the state dealt with the escalating crime rate. 

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