THE EDITOR, Sir:WHEN I listen to the varying comments on the Amnesty International's two reports presented recently on Police killings in Jamaica and the observation of the autopsy on the Braeton Seven, I realise ours is a country that glorifies political expediency and suppresses principles.
Former Prime Minister Michael Manley once said, "We are a country without conscience" and how quick some of us are striving to confirm the truth in that statement. Jamaica has had a proud history of defending human rights on the international and national scenes. We, however, cannot deny that some times at home on the national scene under respective governments we have detoured from this proud road.
What is wrong if an outsider or international organisation points us to, and warns against going on a dangerous detour down a deadly, and dastard drive against human rights? When we criticise Amnesty International and its African General-Secretary for interfering in Jamaica's internal affairs, let us remember the following: Jamaica remains proud to this day for the role of Ambassador Dudley Thompson (The Burning Spear) who went to Kenya in Africa to assist in the defence of Jomo Kenyatta, who was accused of breaking the criminal laws of Kenya.
Let us never forget that it was the Jamaican government which led off the worldwide campaign of sanctions against South Africa. Do we not all feel proud of our defence of Nelson Mandela, while he was unjustly imprisoned? Were we hugging up criminals when we defended human rights then? In the 1960s the Government of Jamaica went to the United Nations and recommended that all countries should celebrate International Human Rights on a particular day, so we can have a worldwide focus on human rights abuse any and everywhere. Now December 10, each year is celebrated as International Human Rights Day, thanks to the Government of Jamaica acting on behalf of our people.
Our Government and people of respective parties have taken strong stance against human rights abuse in other countries. I specifically recall a Jamaican team of lawyers including one A.J. Nicholson, going to Grenada to advocate for the rights of people accused of murdering the former Grenadian Prime Minister, Maurice Bishop and others. Incidentally, like the Braeton Seven, Maurice Bishop was alleged to have died in a 'shoot-out' with the security force.
In the world of globalisation, everything including human rights is global.
Many trade agreements now and in the future will contain clauses on environmental issues, human rights and core labour standards. Further, we cannot arrogate unto ourselves the right to criticise other countries and interfere in their affairs over human rights issues then say Amnesty and others should leave Jamaica alone. Nuh sankey nuh sing suh.
For those who claim 'patriotism' as the grounds to attack Amnesty International, I remind this nation of the saying, "Patriotism is often the refuge of despots". How well we promote political expediency over principle. Let us carefully and objectively analyse the reports of Amnesty, if we find even one per cent of truth therein, let's take the necessary corrective measures. In this way when we just criticise others they will not be able to tell us to take the mote out of our eyes first.
'Is not the messenger is the message'. Jamaica, take note.
I am etc.,
LAMBERT BROWN
E-mail: labpoyh@yahoo.com
