Vulnerable Groups’ Access to Justice Services Being Increased

The Global Affairs Canada (GAC)-funded Social Justice (SO-JUST) project will be partnering with civil society organisations (CSOs) to develop interventions tailored for increased access to justice services by vulnerable groups.

Focus is currently being placed on increasing access to justice services by the deaf and children in contact and conflict with the law.

The CSOs currently being engaged under the programme are Children First and Jamaica Association for the Deaf.

Speaking during Tuesday’s (February 20) launching ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Grace-Ann Stewart McFarlane, said individuals have for long faced barriers in accessing justice services for varying reasons.

She noted that these disparities have promoted the emergence of social justice, a political and philosophical ideology centred on fairness within society.

“This is essentially the objectives of social justice, which [are] protecting individual rights, ensuring equal opportunities, and upholding human rights [and] are precisely aligned with the Ministry’s mandate. We are dedicated to establishing an accessible, efficient and equitable system of justice for all in Jamaica and, of course, promoting respect for rights and freedoms, while fostering awareness for individual responsibilities and civil obligations,” Mrs. Stewart McFarlane stated.

She expressed the Ministry’s gratitude to Global Affairs Canada and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for “collaborating with us to expand access and develop a fairer justice system for all”.

The Permanent Secretary noted that globally, people with disabilities face various forms of inequality, adding that the Ministry has recognised their needs and taken action to alleviate some of the challenges they encounter.

Mrs. Stewart McFarlane stated that through the Legal Aid Council, a justice fair was hosted for persons with disabilities, which reached more than 200 individuals.

“This event, in partnership with Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), successfully addressed the needs of those requiring access to justice services. Furthermore, the Council is training 20 lawyers and some Ministry staff in Jamaican sign language, in collaboration with the Jamaica Association for the Deaf,” she stated.

The Permanent Secretary further informed that the Child Diversion Branch has partnered with Children First to implement community initiatives aimed at raising awareness and engagement with the programme among vulnerable communities.

“The Ministry has long recognised that it cannot achieve its mandate alone. Partnerships with civil society groups, such as the Jamaica Association for the Deaf and Children First, have been invaluable and will continue to be so,” she stated.

Mrs. Stewart McFarlane added that their expertise and community engagement complement the Government’s efforts in ensuring services reach those in need.

For her part, UNDP Programmes Specialist, Stacy-Ann Tomlinson-Knox, said the organisation is proud to partner with the Ministry of Justice and Global Affairs Canada to deliver the Social Justice Project to “bring this idea to reality”.

“Built on four key tenets of social justice, the project seeks to enshrine equity, access, participation and rights as the cornerstone of a modernised justice system,” she stated.

Mrs. Tomlinson-Knox noted that community-based groups have a key role in integrating social justice principles into systems of justice.

“Today, we welcome Children First and Jamaica Association for the Deaf as full-fledged partners in our national efforts to build awareness of community-based justice services, to improve the provision of legal information and services to persons with disabilities and to increase awareness of programmes for children in conflict and contact [with the] law,” she said.

“We regard your engagement with this beneficiary group as a milestone in the SO-JUST Project, and UNDP is particularly pleased that their participation in alternative justice services and social justice initiatives will be strengthened,” Mrs. Tomlinson-Knox added.

Meanwhile, Counsellor and Head of Cooperation, Jamaica/Caribbean Regional Development, High Commission of Canada, Chris Da Silva, stated that Canada has supported alternative justice services, empowering local communities to resolve disputes and address legal issues more quickly through alternative dispute resolutions and legal education initiatives.

“CSOs play a vital role in criminal and social justice. They raise awareness on key issues, advocate for policy change and, in many cases, deliver services. CSOs are often the bridge builders between government, communities and other stakeholders in bringing about inclusive change,” Mr. Da Silva stated.

“The Canada-funded SO-JUST Project is really pleased to celebrate the two CSO partners launching their projects – the Jamaica Association for the Deaf, who will be providing sign-language training and communicating with legal-aid staff in the Ministry of Justice, and Children First, who will work with communities to increase awareness of the services available to children in contact or in conflict with the law,” he added.

Implemented by the UNDP and funded by Global Affairs Canada, SO-JUST will champion the rights of all persons, ensuring the needs of both men and women are met as they engage with justice services.

The project will transform the services provided to victims of crime, children in court, persons in conflict, persons accused of a crime and those who seek justice, making these services easier for every Jamaican to understand and use.

The project will also work with both State and non-State partners, to ensure that all who need access to justice are equitably served.