Lobby group requests new act

The Independent Jamaican Council for Human Rights (IJCHR) want the categories of complaints against members of the security forces widened.



A joint select committee of Parliament has been considering the draft legislation intended to establish an independent commission to investigate extra-judicial killings and other complaints involving police excesses.



Last week, the committee continued its deliberations on the bill titled The Independent Commission of Investigations Act.



In a recent submission, legal counsel for the IJCHR, Nancy Anderson, said the proposed legislation restricted the jurisdiction of the commission.



Miss Anderson, in reacting to the bill, said it was deficient, as it did not address concerns such as false imprisonment, harassment, discrimination, malice and disrespect by the police.



The IJCHR also wants the commission to make recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecutions for officials involved in alleged cases of abuse to be charged and prosecuted.



According to her, the independent commission should also be given the latitude to make recommendations to the Police Services Commission, the Commissioner of Police or the head of the Jamaica Defence Force that the offending personnel be subjected to disciplinary proceedings.