Where does Desmond McKenzie stand?

By Devon Dick

Desmond McKenzie, member of parliament for West Kingston, has called for the removal of Velma Hylton, QC, as a member of the Tivoli Commission, based on her comments made 12 years ago. Hylton, the counsel to the 2002 commission, said, 'In my respectful submission, if the women and children deliberately put themselves between the law-and-order forces ... to enable those gunmen behind them to fire at the security forces and to fire at civilians, I for one, do not understand why, in all circumstances, they cannot return the fire.' (Gleaner February 28, 2002 'West Kingston enquiry ends - Seaga could have quelled violence - Miss Hylton').

Her argument appears to be that the security forces have a right to self defence and to protect civilians, inclusive of women and children, against gunmen and the women and children who deliberately facilitate gunmen shooting at members of the security forces and civilians. What is wrong with that line of reasoning? Is Mr McKenzie saying that if gunmen are shooting to kill security forces and civilians, and women and children are facilitating these killings, then the security forces should allow innocent people to die? McKenzie needs to state clearly whether he is on the side of law and order and innocent civilians or whether he is on the side of gunmen who shoot at security forces and civilians and who have the support of women and children to facilitate such actions. This statement cannot be the ground on which Ms Hylton should be withdrawn.

McKenzie has some explaining to do since he has represented Tivoli for decades and since he did not testify at the commission when he was represented by Patrick Atkinson, now attorney general. Where did the gunmen get firepower to engage the security forces for three days? Are women and children in Tivoli being held as hostage to gunmen and those involved in the drug trade? Is he aware of the damage to the social fabric caused by People's National Party and Jamaica Labour Party garrison constituencies with their gangs and guns? In 2011, Andrew Holness had suggested a joint walk by politicians through garrison communities as a step in dismantling garrisons, and after much debate, nothing has happened and this issue seems now to be in file 13. We ignore garrisons to our own peril.

Hylton also said that, based on the evidence by the Reverend Al Miller of seeing two young men lying on their stomachs on the asphalt on North Street, "in the heat of the day" under the watch of the security forces, was "inhuman and degrading". She should be applauded for condemning police brutality. We should be ashamed that we have not done enough to prevent police brutality to inner-city youths.

bring closure

The killing of approximately 70 persons including a soldier is a serious matter and, in memory of the dead and to help bring closure for the relatives and to protect the reputation of our country, we need the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Commissions of enquiry are important because they give witnesses the opportunity to testify and the public an opportunity to understand what went down. Crime is a major problem and Jamaica needs persons to shun criminality and send a message to gunmen and those who facilitate them.

There can be legitimate criticisms of the composition of the commission such as the fact that all three members are lawyers, which could be one too many. The 2002 Commission had a criminologist and a pastor. In addition, since Ms Hylton was involved in the 2002 Tivoli Enquiry as counsel, it might be a better idea to get a different face as commissioner.

However, McKenzie needs to stop making this outrageous assault on the lady's integrity and stand on the side of law and order.

Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. He is author of 'The Cross and the Machete', and 'Rebellion to Riot'. Send feedback to columns@ gleanerjm.com.