PRESIDENT OF CCJ HEADS JAMAICA CONFERENCE DELEGATION—05/23/15
Sir Dennis Byron, the president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), is at the head of a delegation to Jamaica and will participate in a conference designed to share the lessons he has learned during the decade of the Court’s operation. The CCJ, which is based in Trinidad, was created in 2001 to replace the Privy Council based in London. The Weekend Law Conference was convened by the Committee of the General Legal Council.
JAMAICA GETS APOLOGY FROM U.S. FOR “DIPLOMATIC FAUX-PAS”—05/24/15
An official from the United States Embassy in Kingston issued an apology to the Jamaican government for a “diplomatic faux-pas” involving the visit of Randy Berry, Lesbian, Gay, bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Special Envoy, and Todd Larson, LGBT USAID Coordinator. Berry was sent by the U.S. State Department to meet Jamaican representatives from government and religious, business, academic and civil organizations. The U.S. apologized for a lack of clear communications and of not making the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and ministers from the Information and Gender Affairs unit of the Jamaican government aware of the visit by the Special Envoy.
TOURISM FUND IN FAVOR OF DESIGNATING AREA AS WORLD HERITAGE SITE—05/25/15
Jamaica’s Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) provided more than $13 million in support of having the Blue and John Crow Mountains designated as a World Heritage Site. The move is within the scope of the TEF’s primary mandate, which is to enhance tourism by including the development and protection of heritage sites. The project is overseen by the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, its agencies, and the Ministry of Youth and Culture.
$58 MILLION SPENT BY POLICE FEDERATION ON LEGAL FEES—05/26/15
Jamaica’s Police Federation, an organization that represents the members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) spent $58 million for legal fees in the past year. The amount was disclosed by Carol Chisholm, the General Secretary of the Federation. Peter Bunting, National Security Minister, noted the importance of law-abiding members of the JCF having access to legal support when necessary. The government has allocated $20 million to the legal defense fund of the Federation, Bunting said.
CLAYTON WARNS AGAINST EXPECTING IMMEDIATE SOLUTION TO CRIME ISSUES—05/27/15
Anthony Clayton, Alcan professor of the Institute of Sustainable Development, has warned that recommendations he made in a strategic review of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) do not provide for quick resolution to Jamaicans crime problems. He urged citizens to be patient, since his recommendations will not provide immediate results. Clayton’s recommendations are designed to reduce the nation’s homicide rate.
GUILTY PLEA FROM BAILEY ON FRAUD CHARGES—05/28/15
A guilty plea was entered by Admiral Bailey in Jamaica’s Corporate Area Resident Magistrate Court on charges related to fraud. Bailey, an entertainer and football coach whose real name is Glendon Bailey, received a fine of $160,000 and apologized to the public, vowing to never appear in court again. He pleaded guilty to two counts of obtaining a passport under false pretences and attempting to obtain a passport under false pretence and two counts of uttering forged documents. He pleaded not guilty to other charges, including three counts of possessing forged documents and conspiracy to defraud. No evidence was presented on these latter charges, freeing Bailey of them.
POLICE ARE DEMANDING “SUITABLE” WAGES—05/29/15
Sergeant Raymond Wilson, the chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, warned that “business as usual” cannot be assured if the government does not present a “suitable” wage offer to police officers. The police federation says it needs adequate compensation for its members and is hopeful that the government will understand situation and provide an appropriate response to its demands.
JAMAICAN SPORTS MINISTER TO MEET WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS—05/29/15
Natalie Neita-Headley, Jamaican Minister with responsibility for sports, says she will meet with authorities at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) as soon as possible to discuss the impact of the FIFA investigation on local football programs. The Minister made her remarks following news of the arrest and indictment of high-ranking FIFA officials for alleged fraud, money laundering, racketeering, and corruption. Fourteen FIFA officials and marketers are implicated in the scandal.
