Prime Minister Andrew Holness has now written to Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips inviting him and his team to a meeting on Wednesday, January 2 to arrive at what the Head of Government calls a consensus regarding solutions to the problem of the impending end to the states of public emergency.

In the letter to Phillips, a copy of which was posted on the Prime Minister's Instagram account, Holness maintained that the current crime situation is a threat to the security of the country and a national emergency of exceptional public importance.

Holness also said  the emergency measure has so far resulted in a 23 per cent reduction in murders and 22.3 per cent drop in shootings.

"What should matter most to all of us, is that more than 360 lives have been spared in Jamaica in 2018 in comparison to 2017," Holness wrote.

He cited the situation in St James, where there has been a 70 per cent drop in murders but noted that homicides in the division are still above the national average.

The Prime Minister also disagreed with Phillips that an extension of the states of public emergency would be unconstitutional, saying the advice received from legal and other experts has been otherwise.

Earlier this month after the Opposition voted against extending the states of public emergency in St James, St Catherine North and parts of the Corporate Area, Holness wrote to Phillips asking for a meeting to review the situation.

Phillips agreed to meeting with Holness but maintained that the Opposition would not change its position about extending the security measure. 

In a media release, also issued this afternoon, the Office of the Prime Minister said given the "negative response" of the Leader of the Opposition to the invitation for the meeting to reconsider the extensions to the states of public emergency, the Government has been focused on fine-tuning its security plans for the coming year.

"The Government does not wish to make security into a political football nor do we wish to engage in meaningless talk," said a Government spokesperson in the release.

"The Opposition is either confused or disingenuous. On one hand, they out-rightly reject the successful use of the States of Emergency, which are recommended by the security professionals and which could continue to bring further gains; while, on the other hand, the Opposition is advocating for actions that could only be carried out under the legal framework of a State of Emergency."

 

Opposition rejects OPM's assertion Phillip's response  negative

- Phillips

The Opposition has rejected the Prime Minister’s assertion that its leader, Dr Peter Phillips, responded negatively to the invitation to a meeting regarding the States of Public Emergency.

Reacting to the statement by the Office of the Prime Minister, the Opposition said it does not wish to enter a controversial exchange with the Prime Minister or his office. 

But it said the Prime Minister's assertions were factually incorrect and also gave an impression that the proposed meeting was expected to rubber-stamp the Government's position on the emergency measure. 

"There is nothing to be gained from making national security into a political football," a spokesperson said in the release.

The Opposition said it remains ready, as it has always been, to discuss any and all national security issues, within the context of the provisions of the Jamaican Constitution and the Opposition's vote in Parliament on December 12.

"The attempt at one-upmanship is neither necessary nor helpful in the present situation as the Opposition is firm on its position, which was arrived at after careful consideration of all the constitutional and human rights issues as well as the usefulness of States of Emergency over an extended period," the Opposition spokesperson said.

The Opposition also reiterated that all the security operations, except for arbitrary detention can be maintained under current laws.

Phillips has said he led extensive discussions with the  private sector, human rights and civil society groups to explain the issues in great detail the reason to end support for the states of public emergency.

He also said he had so indicated to the Prime Minister in his letter outlining his willingness to meet with him and all the interest groups.

We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.