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| JFJ Press Release: JFJ Encouraged by Minister’s Actions to Address Police Killings |
| March 29, 2012 |
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JFJ Encouraged by Minister’s Actions to Address Police Killings
Thursday, March 29, 2012, Kingston, Jamaica - Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is encouraged by the stance taken by the Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting, to address the recent spate and long history of police killings in Jamaica. At yesterday’s sitting of the House of Representatives, the Minister indicated that the Government “will be holding the Commissioner of Police, and the High Command, accountable for a reduction in the level of Police fatal shootings” and set out a number of actions to be taken in that regard.
The Minister acknowledged that the number of persons killed by the police is much too high, and spoke of “a culture within the force, which is independent of the official policy, which tends to accept excessi... |
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| JFJ Press Release: Family of 'Mickey' Hill to Commemorate One-Year Anniversary of his Death |
| November 2, 2011 |
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JAMAICANS FOR JUSTICE
2 Fagan Avenue, Kingston 8.
Tel: (876) 755-4524-6
Fax: (876) 755-4355
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Family of ‘Mickey’ Hill to Commemorate One-Year Anniversary of his Death
Wednesday, November 02, 2011, Kingston, Jamaica – One year has passed since the death of Frederick ‘Mickey’ Hill and his family is yet to receive answers and justice. Despite this, the family of Mickey Hill, supported by Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), friends and well-wishers, will be commemorating the one-year anniversary of ‘Mickey’s’ death with a candle light vigil this Friday, November 4, 6:30 p.m. at the Sunrise Club, Norman Manley Boulevard, Negril.
‘Mickey’ Hill was killed last year on November 4 by a group of seven or eight policemen who a... |
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| JFJ Press Release: Retraction Needed Now Mr. Bailey |
| July 12, 2011 |
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PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
July 12, 2011
Retraction Needed Now Mr. Bailey
Tuesday, July 12, 2011, Kingston, Jamaica - Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) is in full support of the release attached which was issued earlier today byJamaica Forum for Lesbians, All Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG) in response to the awful, distasteful and discriminatory remarks of Senior Superintendent Fitz Bailey of the Organized Crime Investigative Division. The sexual orientation of alleged criminals is irrelevant.
The JFJ is deeply disappointed that a policeman as senior as Mr. Bailey would make such incendiary remarks, unsupported by data or reasoned analysis, which have the potential to result in harm to decent law abiding citizens. These remarks need a retraction and an apology not a weak attempt at justification.
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| JFJ Press Release: JFJ Launches New Project to Strengthen the Capacity of Jamaica’s Justice System |
| April 15, 2011 |
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For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE
JFJ Launches New Project to Strengthen the Capacity of Jamaica’s Justice System
Friday, April 15, 2011, Kingston, Jamaica - Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) launches its new project today at the Excelsior Community College on Mountain View Avenue. The project entitled, ‘Deepening Education, Advocacy and Legal Support – Empowering for Defense of Rights’ seeks to build on the previous project of 2009 in strengthening the capacity of Jamaica’s Justice system and civil society to promote and provide accountability to the citizens of Jamaica.
While the earlier project sought to provide legal assistance, awareness-raising and capacity building with vulnerable groups, dialogue with key stakeholders, and advocacy activities in the exercise and defense of rights; ... |
| JFJ Press Release: JFJ Welcomes Murder Verdict in the Tyrone Powell Case |
| April 14, 2011 |
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PRESS RELEASE
JFJ Welcomes Murder Verdict in the Tyrone Powell Case
Thursday, April 14, 2011, Kingston, Jamaica - Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) welcomes the murder verdict handed down in the Tyrone Powell case. Yesterday, a Circuit Court jury ruled that Corporal Vince Edwards who shot and killed Tyrone on August 10, 2009 in Cooreville Gardens, did so in cold blood.
The jury believed the evidence of eyewitnesses who testified that at the time of Tyrone’s death, he and two male companions had transported a female friend to the hairdresser. According to testimony, Tyrone was accosted by a man who was offended at Tyrone having ‘called to’ a girl and while he and his friends attempted to leave the scene, Tyrone was shot in the head by one of two men and his friend gravely injured when he was attacked with a ra... |
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| JFJ Press Release: JFJ Denounces Shooting of Police Officer by Alleged Gunmen |
| March 16, 2011 |
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PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
JFJ Denounces Shooting of Police Officer by Alleged Gunmen
Wednesday, March 16, 2011, Kingston, Jamaica - Human rights organization Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) expressed regret that a police constable in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, was shot several times by one of a group of alleged gunmen, after coming to the aid of other officers on Monday, March 14th.
“This incident serves as an important reminder of the risks the brave members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) face each day,” said JFJ Executive Director Dr. Carolyn Gomes. “We hope that the officer recovers and the perpetrators of this heinous act are brought to justice in accordance with human rights standards.”
As JFJ has stated in the past, an attack on the police while lawfully performing their du... |
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| JFJ Press Release: JFJ Launches Documentary on Police Killings |
| December 13, 2010 |
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PRESS RELEASE
JFJ Launches Documentary on Police Killings
December 13, 2010, Kingston, Jamaica - Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) launched its first documentary, “Victims’ Voices,” Friday, December 10 to a crowd of more than 300 to commemorate International Human Rights Day. The documentary chronicles the struggles of three women who have fought painstakingly to get justice for their sons who were killed under suspicious circumstances by members of the security forces.
Jamaican Public Defender Earl Witter, European Union Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi Alemanni, and the Ambassadors from Belgium, France, Spain, and Mexico as well as the British High Commissioner were among dignitaries from the international, governmental, and NGO community that filled the Sagicor Auditorium in Kingston for the documentary’s ... |
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| JFJ Press Release: Another Suspicious Killing by the Police |
| November 9, 2010 |
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PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Another Suspicious Killing by the Police
Tuesday, November 09, 2010, Kingston, Jamaica – Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is outraged by the circumstances surrounding the killing of Sonnieko Williams on Skyline Drive on Friday, November 5, 2010 by the police and stands in support of his family in demanding answers.
Sonnieko, a 19-year old man was seen leaving home in a grey ‘hoodie’ to meet his friends in the community. Shortly thereafter, witnesses state that they saw a police vehicle speeding down the road and loud explosions were heard afterwards. Upon visiting the area where the explosions were heard, residents said it appeared that someone was shot but there was no body on the scene, only a small pink comb covered with blood which had been seen in Sonneiko’s hai... |
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| JFJ Press Release: JFJ to take Human Rights concerns to the International Community at the UN |
| October 22, 2010 |
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JAMAICANS FOR JUSTICE
2 Fagan Avenue, Kingston 8.
Tel: (876) 755-4524-6
Fax: (876) 755-4355
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
JFJ to take Human Rights concerns to the International Community at the UN
Friday, October 22, 2010, Kingston, Jamaica – A delegation from Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) will be going to Geneva, Switzerland to lobby members of the international missions to the United Nations Human Rights Committee. The lobbying aims to promote a better understanding of human rights issues in Jamaica for the upcoming Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the country. The review process, which will take place on November 8, 2010 in the same locale, is geared towards facilitating interactive dialogue between the members of the Human Rights Council and the Jamaican government, in order to asse... |
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| JFJ Press Release: Delays in Investigation, a Problem for JFJ |
| August 27, 2010 |
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For immediate release
Delays in Investigation a Problem for JFJ
Friday, August 27, 2010, Kingston, Jamaica – Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is deeply perturbed by the delay in concluding the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Keith Clarke. Mr. Clarke was killed three months ago on May 26, 2010 by members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) in an operation that raised serious questions which need answers. Since then, evidence that will bring truth, transparency and closure to the investigation has still not been made available to the investigating officers. In particular JFJ is concerned about the failure of investigators to recover all spent shells at the scene, and to get the full cooperation of the Military with all aspects of the investigation. The delays may have compromised the i... |
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| JFJ Press Release: JFJ Delighted with Verdict in the Troy Gordon case |
| August 3, 2010 |
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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
JFJ Delighted with Verdict in the Troy Gordon case
Tuesday, August 3, 2010, Kingston, Jamaica - Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is delighted with the verdict arrived at in the Troy Gordon case. A Coroner’s Jury on July 27, 2010 decided that that the police officer, Corporal Lloyd Morrison who shot and killed Gordon on April 19, 2004 along the Golden Spring Main Road, should be charged with murder. At the time of Gordon’s death the police alleged that he had stolen a motor car and in the course of attempting to apprehend him Gordon became violent, grabbed the police’s gun and during a struggle was shot.
Conflicting eyewitness testimony claimed that Gordon was beaten by the police, that he never struggled for the policeman’s gun. The eyewitness ... |
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| JFJ Press Release: JFJ Mourns the Passing of Millicent Forbes |
| June 21, 2010 |
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JFJ Mourns the Passing of Millicent Forbes
Monday, June 21, 2010, Kingston, Jamaica – It is with great shock and sadness that we learn of the death of Millicent Forbes who passed away yesterday at the University Hospital of the West Indies. We at Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) extend our heartfelt condolences, prayers, thoughts and sympathies to her children Ann-Marie, Andre, Alicia, Sheronan, Latoya and Georgia, and the family and friends that she has left behind.
Millicent Forbes was a true Jamaican hero, a picture of perseverance, courage, faith and integrity. Having lost her daughter, Janice Allen, to a policeman’s bullet in April 2000, ‘Miss Milli’ as she was affectionately called, has steadfastly pursued justice for her daughter’s death. She withstood threats, harassment, attempted bribery... |
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| JFJ Press Release: Leaders Must be Trustworthy |
| May 13, 2010 |
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For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 13, 2010
Leaders Must be Trustworthy
Each succeeding statement or disclosure, or lack thereof, on the ‘Manatt, Phelps and Phillips Affair’ is more disturbing and raises more questions than it answers. The Prime Minister, the honourable Bruce Golding, admitted in Parliament on Tuesday May 11, 2010, that, in his role of ‘Party leader’, he had sanctioned the engagement of attorneys by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to, as he put it, “resolve what was seen as a treaty dispute between Jamaica and the US”. In the context of the ongoing extradition dispute this can only be seen as lobbying on behalf of a person charged with drug and gun running. This admission is devastating for two separate, but equally important, reasons.
The first issue is the Prime M... |
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| JFJ E-Brief: Crime, Policing and Human Rights in Jamaica |
| March 25, 2010 |
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Reform Matters - Jan - Feb., 2010
Crime, Policing and Human Rights in Jamaica
Crime, Policing and Human Rights Abuses: Perceptions and Correlations
A survey conducted by Johnson Survey Research Limited in November 2009 indicated that, 81% of people perceived crime and violence as becoming more of a problem in Jamaica. This is not surprising, as the murder rate in Jamaica since 1980, has been consistently one of the highest in the world,[1] second only to Colombia with South Africa running close behind. In 2005, 1,674 Jamaicans were murdered and in 2009, 1,680. Of the people surveyed, 52% disapproved of the job that the police in Jamaica were doing. The most popular answers put forward for this disapproval were: the police are not doing a good job; members of the police force took bribes and there was too much corruption... |
| JFJ Press Release: JFJ Expresses Condolences over the Death of Constable Rushton |
| March 22, 2010 |
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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
JFJ Expresses Condolences over the Death of Constable Rushton
Monday, March 22, 2010, Kingston, Jamaica - Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is deeply saddened by the vicious killing of Constable Ainsworth Rushton by a motorist last Thursday as the Constable attempted to carry out his duties. We extend our deep and sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
JFJ recognizes the daunting and challenging task the police face in serving, protecting and re-assuring the citizens of this country. Therefore, when members of the police force are tragically slain in the line of duty, it is cause for deep regret, concern and commiseration. This violent attack on the law officer and horrific violation of Constable Rushton’s right to life is a new low point in the cycle of violence and warra... |
| JFJ Press Release: JFJ Appalled at the Lack of Urgency Displayed By the Government |
| March 9, 2010 |
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For Immediate Release
JFJ Appalled at the Lack Of Urgency Displayed By the Government
Tuesday, March 9, 2010, Kingston, Jamaica - Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) is making available to the press, (enclosed) an open letter written and sent yesterday, to Prime Minister Bruce Golding, outlining our concern and outrage at the lack of urgency displayed by the Government of Jamaica in response to the continued abuse of children in its care, as documented by the Armadale Report of Justice Harrison and the preliminary report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, as well as the Prime Minister’s own statement in Parliament. The letter outlines the steps JFJ is calling on the Prime Minister to make.
March 8, 2010
The Hon. Bruce Golding
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
2 Devon Road
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| JFJ Press Release: JFJ Delighted over Long-Awaited Verdict in the Hapete Henry Case |
| March 5, 2010 |
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| PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release JFJ Delighted over Long-Awaited Verdict in the Hapete Henry Case
Friday, March 5, 2010, Kingston, Jamaica - Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is very elated and relieved that a twelve-year wait for a verdict in the Hapete Henry case has FINALLY arrived. A Coroner’s Jury recently found that the police officer, who shot and killed Hapete at a football match at the National Stadium in April 1998, was criminally responsible. JFJ is not only thrilled that there is some amount of closure for the family, but is also overjoyed that the verdict handed down is one of Manslaughter, which will allow the accused to be tried at the Circuit Court.
span style="color: black">George Henry, the father of Hapete, was also overwhelmed with joy and relief by the culmination of what had seemed like a never-ending Coroner&r... |
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