NIA calls for stronger rules of conduct for politicians after MPs' racial remarks
Published:Wednesday | November 27, 2024 | 3:28 PM
Governance watchdog National Integrity Action (NIA) is calling for the Government to urgently move towards implementation of the Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians and enacting the Political Code of Conduct in law, with criminal sanctions for breaches.
The NIA made the call in a media statement on Wednesday in which it condemned recent racially charged remarks by members of parliament Everald Warmington and Juliet Cuthbert Flynn.
It said the MPs' comments "aim to divide Jamaica along racial lines and are disparaging and disrespectful to all Jamaicans."
In endorsing similar condemnation by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, the NIA said such remarks diminish the contributions made by all groups to Jamaica.
"Politicians who incite racism – or any other form of discrimination - should be unequivocally condemned. Their actions undermine social cohesion, fuel division and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. It's essential to emphasise that such behaviour is unacceptable and goes against the principles of equality and respect for all individuals. Parliamentarians are responsible for promoting unity and inclusivity, not division and hatred," the NIA stated.
It called for the Government to promptly publish the Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians for public feedback and provide a timeline for its implementation.
It also suggested an urgent review of the bill to embody the Political Code of Conduct in law be conducted as one approach to strengthening the code, with criminal sanctions for breaches.
"As we enter the election season, the public must be protected from divisive and disparaging campaigns. These situations continue to test the wisdom of merging the Office of the Political Ombudsman with the Electoral Commission of Jamaica," the NIA asserted.
NIA is also calling for Prime Minister Andrew Holness to address and publicly rebuke the named parliamentarians.
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