Respect for Human Rights Paramount – PM

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says respecting the rights of citizens remains paramount in the fight against criminal gangs.

He noted that human rights are rooted in the transformation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

“In all their development courses, respect for citizens’ rights, respect for human rights is paramount, including in our operations, in our equipping of the Force and in the use of force; in every aspect of it. I urge the JCF to continue on this path to show the world that we don’t need to be told to respect human rights, that is something that is ingrained in us,” Mr. Holness said.

He was addressing the retirement function for Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Fitz Bailey, held recently at the AC Mariott Hotel in New Kingston.

The Prime Minister said the Government is focused on building the capacity of the JCF to take on gangs and is relying less on States of Public Emergency (SOEs) as a crime-fighting measure.

“We have been very successful in our plans,” he said, informing that in the last three years, more gangs have been dismantled and more gang cases brought before the courts than over the past 30 years.

While calling for the rights of victims of crime to be part of the conversation surrounding human rights, the Prime Minister urged the JCF members to “use all the methods and training that you have been given – bearing in mind respect for the rights of the citizens – to pursue those who would put our State at risk”.