THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WOULD like to address a few of the points raised in Delroy Chuck's article titled 'Defending Human Rights" which appeared in your publication. I am truly sad to see the attitude being displayed by Mr. Chuck. He has a particular point of view and many of his points are valid. However, I get the strong impression that he feels that anyone not holding to his world view are fatally flawed in their thinking. I would like to challenge that notion.
Many of us have grown to see the Jamaica of our childhoods ripped to shreds by crime. Our friends and loved ones have been brutally executed by cold-hearted criminals who simply go their way and have their accomplishments toasted in the latest dancehall song. Even when they are captured by the police, they are soon back on the street courtesy of our corrupt and malfunctioning justice system. By the time some of these cases are called, any witnesses have long since been killed or intimidated. To say nothing of political interference in the justice system.
And what if the case actually comes to trial? Well out of the woodwork come a dozen lawyers ready to defend the innocent with all their vigour. (I am reminded of the murder of Shirley Playfair however, where there were moves afoot by some lawyers not to offer representation to the men accused of the crime).
Amnesty International is an organisation with a particular philosophy and mindset. Any report produced by them must be seen in this light. I do not believe that as a sovereign nation we can truly accept the findings of any external body in a matter as serious as this one. We need to have our own means of investigating matters of this importance. So Amnesty's report is a good start, not an end.
Mr. Chuck, If you are indeed serious about returning peace to Jamaica, maybe you should address a few problems a little closer to home. I know a lot of people would sleep a lot sounder at night if you did.
I am etc.,
PAUL ELLIS
E-mail:
ellispaul@hotmail.com
St. Augustine, Trinidad
Via Go-Jamaica
