KINGSTON, November 19, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Jamaican government is refusing to cave in to an international pressure group demanding that homosexual ‘sensitivity’ training be installed for police and that the laws against homosexual activity be repealed.
The group, Human Rights Watch (HRW), has demanded that Jamaican laws against sodomy be repealed, and that ‘hate crimes’ laws similar to those in Canada and the US be put in place. HRW demands that the Jamaican Charter of Rights be amended to include, “sexual orientation and gender identity” and “sex” in its anti-discrimination clause. Such changes in other countries have led to the current worldwide push for the complete acceptance of homosexual behavior and the revision of the notion of marriage in law. It has brought about a widespread attempt to suppress the democratic right to freedom of speech particularly against religious teachings that contradict what is referred to as the ‘gay’ agenda.
The Jamaican government however, has called the tactics of HRW ‘insensitive’ and has pledged to keep the democratic process in Jamaica free of pressure from foreign influences.
Information Minister Burchell Whiteman, in a statement issued to the media yesterday said, “We also, as the duly elected representatives of the people, feel that it is the people who must set our agenda in respect of the legislation which we pass or the repeal of any existing laws. We are certainly not about to respond to any organization, external to this country, which may want to dictate to us how and when to deal with the laws of our land,” said Senator Whiteman. The report by HRW accused the Jamaican government and police of systematic discrimination and ‘torture’ of homosexuals. The police High Command has launched an investigation into allegations.
Rev. Courtney Richards, of the Missionary Church Association, pointed out that Human Rights Watch was mixing up the issues. “It is not the law itself that is the problem. They are making a leap here. I see no reason to change the law, it is to be upheld,” he said.
Coverage from the Jamaica Gleaner: https://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20041118/lead/lead1.html To read Human Rights Watch list of ‘Recommendations’: https://hrw.org/reports/2004/jamaica1104/4.htm#_Toc87670785 hw