Jamaica Security Minister Reaffirms Transparency In Police Force

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – National Security Minister Peter Bunting, said the Portia Simpson Miller-led administration is committed to transparency and accountability in the operations of the security forces.

Bunting was responding to a statement on Friday from the international watchdog, Amnesty International, which asserted that his refusal to answer questions on the security forces is a threat to Jamaica’s international obligations on justice, truth and reparation for human rights violations.

“This sends the wrong signal on ending impunity in Jamaica,” Amnesty International said.

Speaking in Parliament recently, Bunting disclosed that some of Jamaica’s international partners have withdrawn support to certain units within the police force, citing concerns about extrajudicial killings by members of the security forces and the May 2010 police operation in west Kingston, which left more than 70 persons dead.

However, in response to Amnesty, Bunting said, “all allegations of abuse by the security forces are investigated”.

He pointed to the appointment of a Commission of Enquiry into the May 2010 West Kingston operation, and said his ministry also supports investigations regarding allegations of police excesses in the central parish of Clarendon.

“Any group concerned about the preservation of human rights must recognize that it would have been highly improper, prejudicial and an abuse of process for a Minister of National Security to disclose information on matters under investigation.”

He said that, as with any other investigation and enquiry, reports will be released publicly once the work is complete.

He invited Amnesty International to continue tracking Jamaica’s progress in this regard, and said his ministry remains, “steadfast in its efforts to improve the human rights record of the force”.