LETTER OF THE DAY - Wanted: A Ministry of Human Rights
Published:Thursday | July 22, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Editor, Sir:
To paraphrase Victor Hugo, the French human rights activist of the 19th century, there is always more misery in the less fortunate than there is humanity in those who lead.
A generation ago, when the People's National Party (PNP) were swept into power, the Government decided to evict the poor from government property in Rema in western Kingston. There was turmoil and a casualty. A life was lost. Those who turned to the member of parliament for the area in which Rema was, discovered he would not halt the eviction. Harsher still was the discovery he was also the minister of housing. He had not provided a place for them to go.
I wrote in the Gleaner in February 1977 that two things appeared necessary. First, that a Ministry of Human Rights should be established; second, that 'John Q. Citizen' should be allowed in Gordon House to express to the nation, the face of his suffering. Subsequent to my article, the office of the ombudsman was created. But it clearly seems more needs to be done.
Years ago, in Medieval England, a man slipped across the channel from France, found himself in a new realm and asked a priest what were the orders of things. The reply: at the top you have the king, then the nobility and the gentry, then you have the merchants, the artistes and the labourers, then you have nothing, and again nothing, and once again nothing, and yet again, nothing, then you have the peasants. It was about that time that Robin Hood, fact or myth, came into existence.
How often is the cry, "since 'lection, me no see him." So we have those, who recognise two things: the poor have ambitions like everyone else and there is a need to fill the nothing spaces that exist.
The carnage of last month was avoidable. In 1976, a man died. A few weeks ago in the Tivoli confrontation, that number exceeded 70. It is a little late in the day to complain about those who seek the opportunity to fill the shoes of those who do not wear their soles out in tending to their constituents.
Pusillanimous pussyfooting
The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica was born in 1976, 33 years ago. Theirs has not been a stentorian voice regarding the social blight from which Jamaica has been suffering. Now it appears there is the belief, that pusillanimous pussyfooting can no longer be afforded. We need their help. In 1976, a Ministry of Mobilisation was created, so we could better participate in our governance. It is now defunct. Could its death knell have sounded, because of the nothing spaces that existed between the governed and the governors?
A Ministry of Human Rights is needed. 'John Q. Citizen', for lack of adequate representation, has earned his right to speak in Parliament or perhaps lacking eloquence, he might ask his don.
Imagine for a moment, a strongman speaking in Parliament while the seated minister for that constituency ... well, I leave the rest to your imagination!
Come on Jamaica, we can do better. After all, why are we here, if it is not to help each other?
I am, etc.,
Dr WILLIAM A.A. FOSTER
Consultant Cardiologist