A GROUP of what might be labelled middle class, up town, liberal, bleeding heart, do-gooders met in the Stella Maris Church Hall in April 1999 after the gas riots. They met without a specific agenda and there was no articulated plan or programme. The people assembled were hurting for Jamaica, knew that things could not continue as they were, and wanted to do something for the country that had been so good to them and which they loved so dearly. This group believed that the majority of Jamaicans are decent law-abiding citizens and that the greatest problem Jamaica has is its inability to utilise its best resource -- the strength and determination of its people. At this meeting, Jamaicans For Justice was born.
The organisation became a registered company in October 1999 and defined its goals and values as truth, transparency, integrity, empathy, humility and respect. Its vision was stated as being, "A Jamaica where the rights of all are ensured, where there is equal opportunity for citizens to realise their full potential and enjoy a sense of well-being, and where our culture is enhanced and respect shared."
Jamaican For Justice (JFJ) is reactive for those wishing to get justice in matters ranging from state abuse and neighbours' disputes to land title issues and, through counselling, encourages the use of the systems in place.
The organisation uses what it learns from individual cases to highlight problems in the systems of justice and lobby for change.
Proactively, JFJ researches issues that affect the fundamental rights of citizens. In so doing, JFJ has prepared position papers on the Caribbean Court of Justice, the Bill of Rights, the Anti-Corruption Bill and the Telecommunications Bill, as well as mounting forums and public education campaigns. As part of its outreach programme JFJ has connected with the youth clubs of the Grants Pen and, working with the Constant Spring police, assisted in staging of a football clinic. Free legal advice sessions in Grants Pen and August Town have been arranged by JFJ and channels of communication with the Police Public Complaints Authority, the Jamaica Constabulary Force Chaplain, the Forensic Pathology Division of the Ministry of National Security and Justice have been established. JFJ is one of the founding groups in the new Coalition of Concerned Jamaican Citizens and is working with Janet Johnson and Independent Jamaican Council for Human Rights as they develop Human Rights teaching modules for schools. All these activities, and more, are accomplished by several members' committees and a Board of Directors.
The Montego Bay Chapter of JFJ has been very active in the fight for justice, particularly in the Street People issue, which saw JFJ and the Police Federation denouncing the 'scape-goating' of low-ranking police officers in that dreadful affair.
The past two years have provided frustration over the failure of the justice system to hold anyone accountable for the brutal beating to death of Michael Gayle in August 1999. Frustration is also felt at the dismally slow pace of the Coroner's Court and the justice system in general. Despite pleas that the system be altered to provide swift justice, Jamaicans remain suffering in an apparent lack of political will to implement the hundreds of recommendations made over the years.
Thankfully have been some noteworthy rewards, among them being the success of the pressure applied to get a Commission of Enquiry into the Street People scandal which, despite the disappointing result, must be viewed as successful citizens' action. There was the success in challenging the ruling of Justice Ellis during the Prison's Enquiry to allow ordinary citizens to take notes. JFJ helped to sponsor a policeman and a community leader to attend a course at an overseas University on 'Peace Building'. Mr. Dennis Daly, working with Jamaicans for Justice recently won an out of court settlement for the men of Grant's Pen who were illegally detained, photographed and fingerprinted under 'Operation Intrepid' in July 1999.
Perhaps most rewarding for members of Jamaicans For Justice is the opportunity to unite with people from very varied walks of life and social experiences around a common cause. JFJ has provided an avenue for 'up-towners' to venture out of their comfortable cocoons to experience first hand the level of frustration, delay and contempt meted out by those in authority to fellow Jamaicans. It has also been empowering for many of the members from 'down town' to have a place where their voices are heard, to contribute to decision making, and to experience the psychological and emotional benefits of being part of this fight for fairness.
So, JFJ is not a talk shop for some up-towners with a guilty conscience. It is not a secret, political party in waiting. It has no hidden agenda for the transparency they demand from government is practised within the organisation. It is, however, an effective citizens' action group, manned by a relatively small number of hard working, patriotic citizens. It is maintained by the support of local and overseas well-wishers and it is effective because its mission is one of justice for every Jamaican, particularly those who are forgotten and neglected.
You may write Jamaicans For Justice at ja.for.justice@cwjamaica.com or visit their website at jamaicansforjustice.org
