Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator

Ahead of the Third Biennial Jamaican Diaspora Conference at the Jamaica

Conference Centre, Kingston, from June 16-17, The Gleaner zooms in on some of the issues expected to be raised at the forum.

A PROPOSAL to strengthen the role of the diaspora in parliamentary and national affairs has been met with resistance from a number of Jamaicans.

Last week, the House of Representatives established a committee to hear and debate potential constitutional amendments and or policy considerations for allowing an electoral voice and representation of diaspora constituencies in Parliament.

This week, The Gleaner randomly canvassed local citizens to get their comments on whether Jamaicans in the diaspora should have a representative in Parliament.

Christine Dunk argued that persons in the diaspora should not have an appointed or elected representative in Gordon House.

"They leave the country to make a life elsewhere and get citizenship in another country. I don't think you should have that authoritative voice over the persons who are still in Jamaica," she said.

No special privilege

According to Anthony Rochester, Jamaicans who live abroad should not be allowed any special privilege in having their views represented in Parliament. He contended that they should return to the island if they want to play an active role in the decision-making process.

However, Patrice Gordon pointed out that, in the run-up to the last general election, many Jamaicans in the diaspora had expressed an interest in registering a vote to determine who governs the country.

"It would be good if they have someone in Parliament that could represent their views," she added.

Nichelle Duncan recommended that a committee be established to speak on the behalf of the diaspora. She objected to any move to have someone representing the diaspora in the Houses of Parliament.

"I don't think that we should tie it up with politics," she said.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com