Delroy Chuck
ONCE AGAIN, at the behest of the Private Sector, politicians are required to sign a Code of Political Conduct. The initial signing took place on Tuesday, September 20, in Parliament, when the leaders of the JLP and PNP, along with other parliamentarians, annexed their signatures to the document entitled Agreement and Declaration on Political Conduct. Like the previous signing, which also took place in Parliament before the 2002 General Elections, I doubt this document will have any effect on political behaviour or the escalating level of criminality.
If we are to stem the perennial and rising crime wave, we need to ensure that criminals get their just deserts and that can only happen if they are quickly apprehended, tried within a reasonable time and deservedly punished. Sadly, just like in every other area of national life, so too in the criminal justice system, we talk a good talk, but the delivery of justice remains inefficient, ineffective and a source of frustration for everyone, when the system should be the commanding and compelling bulwark against criminals.
INEFFICIENT DELIVERY
Initially, the draft agreement from the PSOJ was quite offensive, as it cast aspersions on the role of politicians. In fact, many of us in Parliament considered the demand of the PSOJ rude and outrageous and would not have signed any document dictated by private interests. Fortunately, the parties agreed to craft an agreement under the chairmanship of the Political Ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair, which, in its form and content, is nothing more than expressions of good intent. The real challenge is to implement and enforce the agreement and ensure that political parties abide by their commitment to it.
Actually, the agreement and declaration do not go far enough. The document merely demands that political parties and their supporters should not engage in questionable and criminal conduct, which is quite innocuous and simply common sense. The document should instead demand that political parties correct the wrongs and misconduct that can easily be attributed to their supporters. Politicians should be required to play an active role in community policing, to work steadfastly in their communities that are prone to violence, and proactively work towards peace and harmony in their divisions, constituencies, and the nation.
Unless everyone (including politicians to play the leading role) expends the energy and effort to bridge the gap between corners, communities, gangs and political tribes then the turmoil, conflicts and criminal violence will surely continue and probably escalate. For the records, I do so in my constituency of North Eastern St. Andrew and strongly recommend this proactive role to others.
SLOGANS AND GRAFFITI
Quite frankly, my experience in Grants Pen does not make me confident that the Code of Political Conduct can be effectively enforced. I try unwaveringly to eliminate political tension and conflict in and around Grants Pen, but there are fanatical comrades who want some corners to remain tense and volatile. On every occasion that these misguided and well-known political cultists write up political slogans and PNP graffiti, I complain to the Political Ombudsman and the PNP Headquarters, but little is done and I have to buy paint and spend money to remove them. Even now, on Harribin Lane, Grants Pen Avenue and along the gully banks, huge PNP signs are painted on residents' walls and buildings and in spite of my pleas to the president, vice-presidents and general secretary of the PNP, and the Political Ombudsman, they remain as testimony to the flagrant disregard for the Code. If these PNP graffiti remain, why should I believe there is any commitment to the Code?
In truth, if Jamaica is to benefit from the political process, we the politicians will have to work hard, very hard, to eliminate the cultist behaviour of our ardent supporters, encourage political tolerance, and put the interests of Jamaica first. Yet, how can this ever be achieved, when the ruling party manages the affairs of the country as if it were a massive political pork barrel?
Delroy Chuck is an attorney-at-law and Opposition Member of Parliament. He can be contacted by email at delchuck@hotmail.com.
