WASHINGTON, Sept 6, CMC – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has expressed concern over Jamaica’s continued use of states of public emergency (SOEs) and calls on Andrew Holness government to ensure that measures used to prevent and combat crime are implemented in accordance with international human rights standards.
On August 14, this year, the Jamaiccan government declatted an SOE for the parish of Clarendon after a shooting incident in which eight persons were killed and nine injured.
Under the Jamaiccan Constitution, during an SOE, the government temporarily grants security forces additional powers, including warrantless searches, arrest and detention.
According to the organs of the Inter-American System of Human Rights, the suspension of guarantees is a provision that can be implemented in the extraordinary circumstances indicated in Article 27 of the American Convention, such as war, public danger, or another emergency that threatens a State’s independence or security.
(Details in Full News section)
CMC/2024