D.K. Duncan FOUR YEARS ago, in the aftermath of the last major national disturbance, a new organisation emerged. The "islandwide gas riots" of April 1999 prompted Prime Minister P.J. Patterson to recognise the appearance of "the new, proud, informed, assertive Jamaican citizen of the 21st century". A number of these assertive Jamaicans, having participated in these demonstrations or observed them at firsthand, formed themselves into a group. A signal cry across the nation was a call for 'justice'. Several more cried 'respect'. Some of these proud and informed Jamaicans came together in the movement 'Jamaicans for Justice'.
Incensed more by the lack of quality of governance displayed in the way gas prices were increased rather than by the quantity of the increase, the demonstrations rocked the nation and its leaders. The Prime Minister, in the same post-demonstration speech declared-. "our institutions, political systems and bureaucracy must either change quickly, or disintegrate and be swept away-".
Four years later, the Prime Minister finally caught up with the Jamaicans for Justice lobby for significant changes in the way post mortems are conducted especially in cases of questionable police killings. While the P.M. and the Security Ministry are to be congratulated, the main kudos must go to the indefatigable efforts of those assertive citizens of J.F.J. and others who played a consistent role as a pressure group.
INFORMATION
Recognising the emergence of a new social order, the P.M. continued in the same budget speech in April, 1999 "...this new social order requires participation where there is greater information sharing and communication - in a clear, honest way on the process of policy formulation and decision making...". Civil society groups led by Transparency Jamaica, J.F.J. and others actively participated in the critique and reformulation of the Access to Information Act. Monitoring an activist Information Minister was no easy task. However, these groups and the Minister, aided by the co-operation and activism of elements in the media, helped to create a positive climate for serious public discussion on the issue.
JUSTICE
Although J.F.J., in the main has dealt with cases which involve "citizens seeking justice in cases involving agents of the state.." - the movement "recognises the broad spectrum of justice in all spheres of society..". Its "Jamaica Justice Report, 2002" notes that justice is the bedrock of any civilised and progressive society and all Jamaicans must have equal access to fair, correct and impartial treatment".
Their present focus on judicial and social justice has kept a resistant State on its toes. Exposing areas of 'justice delayed' as well as systemic flaws in the judicial process, their positive contributions have renewed hope in sections of the society that change is possible.
As long as civil society organisations such as J.F.J. continue to operate on well grounded principles and remain focused, then another aspect of the P.M.'s 1999 speech may become a reality. The P.M. asserted then that "...we must change our approach to governance, or we will become part of the problem and be swept aside by the emerging new social order..."
RECOGNITION
Another glimmer of hope is the recognition recently given to the young organisation by the Ministry of National Security. Two of its leaders the Executive Director, Dr. Carolyn Gomes and the Chairperson, Susan Goffe, were invited to participate on the two committees set up by the Minister in December, 2003. In the context of the climate that helped to spawn the formation of the J.F.J., the organisation has to be mindful that "..the new social order requires participation where there is greater information sharing and communication..."
As participants in the vanguard of the new assertive Jamaican citizen, they have the responsibility to walk the thin line between co-operation and co-option.
For their efforts, the organisation recently received one local award from the St. Mary's Awards Committee as well as an international award from the City of Weimar, Germany.
DEEPENING DEMOCRACY
International organisations and nations have increasingly recognised the critical role that Civil Society can play in the deepening and renewal of democracy. With the increasing alienation of the electorate from the political system, there is political space for the development of more organisations like J.F.J. in Jamaica. These proud, informed, assertive Jamaican citizens of the 21st century should continue to play a significant role in the quest for good governance and the deepening of democracy. One love. One heart.
A dental surgeon, Dr. D.K. Duncan is a former General Secretary and Minister of Government in the P.N.P. Administration of the '70s.
