THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE FIRST duty of the state is the protection of its citizens. Does the state of Jamaica accomplish this? For example, Agana Barrett died from suffocation in a jail cell. No one found guilty for this death. Michael Gayle beaten by the state's servants, vomits his faeces and died, no one found guilty for this death. Street people put in a truck, driven to mud lake, no one found guilty for this cruelty to poor unfortunate citizens, and many more atrocities committed to others.
Did the state of Jamaica protect its citizens? More than a thousand Jamaican citizens are murdered each year, most murders are not solved by the state, as it failed to do so. Large number of citizens are unemployed as the state fails to attract enough investors because of the high crime rate. Jamaica's murder rate is the third highest in the world. Thousands of youth graduate from the education system each year, not enough jobs for them, but to roam the streets. Some find themselves in trouble with the law.
Based on the above facts as we must observe, and not to be like an ostrich hiding our heads under the sand and pretend, because some of us are rich saying that Jamaica is not a failed state.
To fail means - try to do something but not be able to do it. Or to become weak or useless, as our leaders now appear. Thus Jamaica is a failed state. Sir, who feels it, knows it. All PhDs, BScs, professors, social scientists with doctorates, this street sweeper former supervisor, cane cutter's son challenges anyone to say if I am wrong and tell me where I am wrong or went wrong. A failed justice system is the root of a failed state, as my shameless country Jamaica is now. Bow your heads in shame, ye hypocrites.
I am, etc.,
ROBERT SOLOMON
HENRY
Spanish Town
