THE TRAGEDY of the Michael Gayle case has justifiably become a cause celebre for local human rights lobby groups in highlighting excesses of the local security forces and the inadequacies of the state prosecutorial system in seeking redress.
We do believe, however, that the legal processes having been exhausted, and the Government
having expressed its regrets over the incident, and then entering into negotiations with and offering financial compensation to his family which was accepted, that it is time to put the case to rest.
As appalling as the savagery surrounding his death was, and whatever flaws there were in the handling of the case, very little usefulness is served at this time by the continuing public arguments among local and international human rights groups, on the one hand, and the Government, on the other.
The Attorney-General, A. J. Nicholson, is correct in pointing out that the constitution does not allow the state to second-guess the rulings of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to have cases re-opened.
However, Jamaicans for Justice and other groups of persons who are fired by a passion and concern about other cases of similar abuse by agents of the state, should now shift their focus to what must be done in the future. They may seek to keep Michael Gayle's memory alive in the consciousness of the Jamaican public by continuing to press for independent investigative facilities to allow for similar cases to be pursued with equal fervour should they arise.
They may also lobby for a review of the formula used by the authorities in seeking to determine adequate compensation to victims of police or soldier abuse.
We are doubtful that any amount of payment can adequately relieve the emotional pain and suffering experienced by Gayle's mother, Ms. Jenni Cameron. So to some extent, renewed demands for additional payment are symbolic. We urge all parties concerned to examine all aspects of this tragedy the security operation on the ground and the legal processes that followed and to recommit themselves never to have a recurrence.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
