Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterGOVERNMENT IS in discussion with its British counterpart to find ways to strengthen the country's witness protection programme. The Sunday Gleaner understands this was an agenda item of National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips' visit to the United Kingdom last week.
Reports reaching The Sunday Gleaner are that government has asked the United Kingdom to facilitate more local witnesses and for financial assistance.
On his return to the island last week, Dr. Phillips told Gleaner/Power106 News Centre that he had full confidence in the existing Witness Protection Programme. However, concerns have been raised in several quarters about the public's confidence in the facility, especially since a witness in the recent Joel Andem murder trial expressed fear and on account of this, the case against the accused was dismissed.
LITTLE FAITH
Chairman for the local human rights group, Jamaicans For Justice, Dr. Carolyn Gomes is among those with little faith in the existing programme.
"We have received a lot of complaints about the programme and have passed them on to Dr. Phillips," Dr. Gomes told The Sunday Gleaner on Friday.
Renown human rights activist, Roman Catholic priest Father Richard Albert says if the programme is to become more effective, "the government will have to find a way to protect witnesses".
"We need a new intelligence agency, something like the CIA or FBI, not to investigate, but to protect the people," Father Albert said.
He said the rights of certain individuals should be suspended, a gesture which he believes will enhance the police's capability in apprehending the instigators of crime.
Opposition spokesman on national security, Derrick Smith said there are some challenges that have been impacting on the programme. For example, the country is too small to effectively hide a witness and there is urgent need for adequate financial resources.
"People are of the view that the programme is run by the police. With the high level of mistrust of the police, there is always a reluctance to go on the programme," Mr. Smith said.
