JFJ wary over INDECOM effectiveness
Published:Tuesday | September 14, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Philip Hamilton, Gleaner Writer
Human-rights lobby Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) has expressed reservations about whether the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) can secure the resources it needs to properly carry out its work.
Executive Director Dr Carolyn Gomes told The Gleaner that the JFJ, which supports the commission, was con-cerned about whether the independent body would be allowed to function effectively.
"The first thing is the leadership. Will it be given the technical, legal and investigative resources to actually do what it is able to do?" Gomes asked. "Those are the things that are going to be important to how it works."
The JFJ head said the human-rights lobby, which has long called for the establishment of an independent body to probe civilian shootings and human-rights abuses carried out by the security forces, has already held meetings with INDECOM Commissioner Terrence Williams.
The commission, which began operations on August 16, is in the process of establishing its offices in Kingston and Motego Bay, as well as recruiting staff.
This staff includes 12 investigators previously assigned to the Police Public Complaints Authority (PPCA), a non-police agency with powers to investigate complaints brought by the public against the police.
INDECOM's operations are overseen by the Ministry of Justice, which is currently assisting the commission with its human resource and budgetary requirements.
A ministry source told The Gleaner INDECOM's budget would come from money previously allocated to the Bureau of Special Investigations, as well as the PPCA in the 2010-2011 bud-get, a total of $242 million.
Williams recently acknowledged he was aware there were some persons who remained cynical as to INDECOM's ability to fulfil its mandate, given that other agencies had been tasked with similar responsibilities in the past.
Gomes was doubtful when asked if the JFJ was confident about INDE-COM's ability to carry out its duties.
"I cannot be confident until we know how it actually works," said Gomes. "We have pushed for this and it is very important. We have worked very hard on the legislation, but I'm not prepared to say I am confident."