Safe haven for youngsters in custody

Nadisha Hunter, Gleaner Writer

THE JUVENILES who were among detainees held by the security forces during their recent operation in Tivoli Gardens are now in settled homes where they are reportedly safe.

While the Child Development Agency (CDA) had issued a release on Thursday stating that there were 20 boys detained who were in need of care and protection, Rashida St Juste, communications officer at the CDA, said the figures had grown significantly.

The number has more than tripled, increasing to 68. St Juste said relatives had taken control of 64 of the children while the agency had placed the others whose ages ranged from 14 to 16 in safe havens.

"Family members made contact and we were only left with four boys to find places for, but we have identified places for them and they are now being taken care of," she said.

The communications officer noted that all the boys who had been detained were screened by the Ministry of Health and would get psycho-social support.

Protect children

The children were among the more than 500 persons detained since the security forces began its manhunt on Sunday for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, who is wanted in the United States to face gun and drug-trafficking charges.

In the meantime, UNICEF is calling on the Government of Jamaica, the security forces and all other concerned parties to put in place all necessary measures to protect all affected children.

In a release yesterday, UNICEF said it was deeply concerned about the welfare and protection of children and their families in west Kingston and other areas affected by violence.

"Children must be shielded from any violence by all means possible, and efforts to restore a sense of normalcy for children should be undertaken as an urgent priority," the release read.

"UNICEF stands ready to support the Government ministries, other concerned government agencies and non-governmental organisations in this effort," it added.