JFJ Supports Calls of CAFFE and Presidents’ Council

Jamaicans For Justice “shares the great anguish the unfolding events related to the extradition request in respect of Mr. Christopher Coke” have caused the group Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE). We also recognize the need for “support of the principles of transparency and accountability” expressed by the Private Sector’s Presidents’ Council in their statement today and join their call for “full disclosure in Parliament of the “Manatt Affair”. JFJ sees this as the necessary first step in the process of building back the badly damaged credibility of the Government and the nation and believes the nation deserves nothing less than the whole truth on this issue.

JFJ strongly supports the call of CAFFE to see in this “unfortunate episode in our political history a fortuitous but critical opportunity” for us to insist on renewal and reform. To that end we join their call for ALL “political parties to sign the Electoral Commission’s recommendations with respect to political party financing within ten (10) days”. We insist that “the Government and Parliament… expedite the passage of the relevant legislation”. JFJ also supports the call for the immediate publication of “a time-table for the establishment of the necessary mechanism for the formulation and implementation of a Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians, Parish Councillors and election candidates”.

JFJ agrees with the Presidents’ Council’s call for “specific timelines for the implementation of the governance commitments” made in the address to the Nation by the Prime Minister. These must be critically focused on breaking the linkages between politics and criminality. Paramount in that process is the full reintegration of garrison communities and residents into the wider society including enabling them to have equal access to the services and benefits afforded other citizens.

JFJ believes that trust, full transparency and accountability are the necessary foundations on which these steps can succeed. This is a moment when all Jamaicans can make a difference in the life of our beloved country. We must pull Jamaica back from the brink of further descent into anarchy and un-governability. The citizens must seize the moment to take steps to advance governance processes and improve the practice of politics and collaborate to ensure that words become actions and actions result in “probity in public life and good governance”.

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For further information contact:

Carolyn Gomes – 382-8583/755-4524-6