THE EDITOR, Sir:
I am aware that $750 million was stolen from banks in Jamaica in 2018 alone. This illustrates a political bias to punish the poor and powerless and leave so-called white-collar criminals virtually unbothered.
There has been a 10 per cent conviction rate, with most culprits getting a slap on the wrist, and a moderate fine.
I consider the declaration of a state of emergency in an economically challenged neighbourhood discriminatory, because it dehumanises all its residents and strips them of their human rights, such as habeas corpus and the right to a fair trial.
I view it as unfair to strip already-disenfranchised people of their human dignity, while giving other criminals ‘special treatment’.
BRIAN E. PLUMMER