THE CALL by one parliamentarian for a referendum to decide on the retention or removal of the death penalty will not prevent members of the House of Representatives from registering their conscience vote on the issue next Tuesday.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding late yesterday afternoon moved a motion for the adjournment of the House, effectively suspending the debate on hanging until the next sitting.

No public input

Golding said this was done to give members who were not in attendance an opportunity to vote.

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller was noticeably absent from the sitting.

Member of Parliament (MP) for South Eastern Westmoreland, Luther Buchanan, said Jamaicans should have been given the opportunity to make the decision on capital punishment in a national referendum.

Closing the debate, Golding said the first order of business in the House on Tuesday would be the vote to retain or remove capital punishment.

"This issue is so important that I don't think that any harm would be done if a few days on the weekend are allowed for members to reflect, to think and, important, despite the fact that it is a conscience vote, for persons to allow their conscience to be shaped and formed and influenced by (the) views of members of the public and interest groups," he said.

Retention of hanging

During the debate, Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles made a passionate appeal for members to support the retention of hanging.

Charles said if his constituents were of the view that the death penalty should be removed he would resign immediately.

However, he got himself into trouble when he accused MPs who were against the death penalty of defending criminals.

Former leader of Opposition Business in the House, Dr Peter Phillips, rose on a point of order, chastising Charles for imputing motives to his colleagues.

Improper and insulting comments

He rebuked Charles, saying his comments were improper and insulting.

The Speaker supported the point of order, but was challenged by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who argued that Charles did not direct his comment at a particular member.

Chuck warned Charles to avoid disparaging comments about members.

Continuing his presentation, Charles declared that the brutal acts of crimes against the country's women and children have strengthened his position for the retention of hanging.

Acting leader of Government Business in the House, Andrew Gallimore, rubbished claims that the death penalty was a deterrent.

He argued that the killing of praedial thieves by mobs did not deter others from carrying out similar crimes.

Andrew Holness, education minister, said capital punishment was not the answer to the crime problem facing Jamaica.

He said the resumption of hanging would perpetuate a culture of violence in the country.

Human rights lobby group Jamaicans For Justice said debate on whether to retain hanging was premature.

It says the perpetrators of crime must first be caught before this move is considered.

Hanging in the balance

Jamaican lawmakers are on the brink of deciding whether the death penalty should remain on the books. What are your thoughts on the hanging debate? Email comments to letters@gleanerjm.com or editor@gleanerjm.com; or post to The Opinion Editor, The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston.