Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator

Governor-General, Professor Kenneth Hall (right), presents the Instrument of Appointment to the new Public Defender, attorney-at-law Earl Windsor Witter, at the swearing-in ceremony for Witter at King's House yesterday. - Junior Dowie / Staff Photographer

Attorney-at-law Earl Witter was yesterday sworn-in by Governor-General, Professor Kenneth Hall, as Jamaica's second Public Defender, at King's House.

Colleagues of the veteran lawyer and numerous public officials attended the event.

Among those in attendance were Opposition Leader Bruce Golding; Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Senator A.J. Nicholson; former Prime Minister Edward Seaga, and President of the Court of Appeal, Paul Harrison.

Mr. Witter took the Oath of Allegiance and the Judicial Oath before receiving his Instrument of Appointment from Professor Hall.

Eager to begin his task, Mr. Witter told journalists that he would immediately visit his office to be informed of outstanding matters.

He pledged to carry out his duties fearlessly on behalf of Jamaicans here and in the diaspora, and urged members of the legal fraternity to support him.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bruce Golding and former Public Defender, Howard Hamilton Q.C., have proposed a raft of recommendations to increase the powers of the Public Defender.

Mr. Golding called for a parliamentary review of the office. Additionally, he wants the Public Defender to investigate constitutional rights breaches against civilians by the military.

At present, the Public Defender is prohibited from investigating members of the Jamaica Defence Force who are increasingly being mandated to carry out civilian law enforcement.

He is also suggesting that the Public Defender should report to Parliament state agencies which have violated the rights of Jamaicans and which refuse to offer redress.

Call for more powers

Mr. Hamilton is urging the Government to widen the remit of the Public Defender, allowing him to take on other human rights violations.

He also wants the Public Defender to be able to appear in court on behalf of aggrieved persons.

On August 29 The Gleaner first reported that Mr. Witter was to be appointed the country's next Public Defender.

The Office of the Public Defender was established in 2001, to investigate and seek redress on behalf of Jamaicans whose constitutional rights have been infringed by the state.