Bar association to meet on hanging

The Jamaican Bar Association says it will be convening a meeting to examine the issues surrounding the resumption of hanging.



The council of the bar association says it has taken special note of the fact that the discussions in Parliament have extended beyond the question of the resumption of hanging to several other constitutional issues.



It says some of the discussions have centred on what is considered as cruel and humane treatment, which is prohibited by the constitution.



According to the association, this matter has already been decided by the country’s highest court and the proposal from some parliamentarians seems to involve a reversal of these decisions.



It contends that this would take away certain constitutional protections.



In the landmark Pratt and Morgan case, the Privy Council ruled that it was considered cruel and inhumane treatment to have a person on death row for more than five years.



The authorities have complained that it is impossible to carry out the executions within five years because of the time it takes for appeals to be heard.



This has caused some to suggest that parliament pass legislation overturning the Privy Council ruling.



The bar association’s council says it considers these developments of fundamental importance and will be convening an extraordinary meeting of the association’s members to discuss the issue.



It says the position of the association on the matter will be announced following this meeting.