Debate on a Bill to provide for the implementation of restorative justice procedures in the formal justice system began in the House of Representatives on July 19. The Bill seeks to amend the Criminal Justice (Reform) Act, the Child Care and Protection Act, the Corrections Act and the Parole Rules. This will be done under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Amendment)...

A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is to arrive in the island on July 20 to discuss an appropriate programme for Jamaica, after the current agreement ends next year. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, made the announcement during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 19. “We are at this time...

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, today (June 15) tabled the West Kingston Commission of Enquiry Report in the House of Representatives, which recommended, among other things, apology to the residents, counselling for traumatised persons, and compensation for victims. The Justice Minister informed that 51 wide-ranging recommendations were made in the report for consideration by the Government. The 900-page document...

The Ministry of Health will require all pregnant women to be tested for the Zika virus (ZIKV). This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, as he addressed the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 7. “When a woman is tested positive for being pregnant and she has to go through the initial stages of testing, we...

Jamaica and Cuba have pledged to identify ways to deepen collaboration and exchanges in trade, tourism, climate change, disaster mitigation, culture and education. This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 7. Providing details on the Association of Caribbean States Summit held in Cuba on June...

The Ministry of Health, through the National Health Fund, will be providing $1 million to each Member of Parliament to support Zika activities at the constituency level. The funding will be channelled through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, and will be available as of July 1. This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton,...

The 2016/17 session of Parliament officially opened today (April 14) at Gordon House with the traditional pomp and pageantry. It was highlighted by the delivery of the Throne Speech by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen. The official opening of the new parliamentary year also saw supporters of the two major political parties gathered within the precincts...