Opposition says it will not support extension of St James state of emergency
Published:Tuesday | December 11, 2018 | 12:00 AM
The Opposition has indicated that it will not be supporting an extension of the state of public emergency in St James.
It means that the government will not be able to continue the security measure as an extension would require the support of the Opposition to amass two-thirds of the votes of members of the House of Representatives.
The St James State of Emergency was imposed on January 18, 2018.
"We don’t need a State of Emergency to feel safe," said Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips.
He said the state must provide all necessary security services, cordon, searches, seizures and arrests noting that the Opposition stands ready to support any reasonable measure.
Earlier, Prime Minister Andrew Holness had asked for the Parliament to support an extension of the St James State of Emergency saying since the measure was imposed almost a year ago, murders have been reduced by 72 per cent and shootings by 63 per cent.
Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte said she was saddened that the Opposition would not support an extension of the security measure.
WATCH: Attorney General @MalahooForteQC says she hopes the failure to extend the #StateOfEmergency does not send the wrong message to criminals in St James that they can once again dominate the space and kill and maim. pic.twitter.com/5mCZO8xpaz
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) December 12, 2018
She said it appeared as though people were becoming immune to the level of crime in the society.
Malahoo Forte, who is also the St James West Central Member of Parliament, said she hopes this does not send a signal to criminals to retake the space.
After more than an hour of debate, Holness rose again.
"We need more time," he said, citing letters from the head of the security forces requesting a 90-day extension.
Holness also responded to criticisms by St Andrew South MP Mark Golding that there was no plan to exit the State of Emergency.
"We do have a plan to end the State of Emergency but we cannot give up the strategic advantage to say when," the Prime Minister told Parliament.
He also insisted that there have not been wanton abuses people's rights under the security measure.
"This, Leader of the Opposition, represents the best of Jamaica's use of the emergency powers,"
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