Questionable Conduct: The Jamaican Political Reality

Are some Churches unconcerned with those responsible for the May, 2010 military operation which inter alia resulted in the deaths of more than 76 persons? Are some churches primarily concerned with the state paying compensation for the damage and loss suffered by the residents of Tivoli? In a letter to the Editor, Gleaner, published Thursday, December,11, 2014, written by the Rev. Orville H. Ramocan, Director in the Office of the President, Independent Churches of Jamaica (ICJ), the position of this group  on the Tivoli Commission of Enquiry is stated: "ICJ believes that whoever was responsible for the physical violation of these poor people is irrelevant at this point in time. The reality is, the conditions and cause for these violations were created by the State. The State must now make every effort to bring healing and restoration to a community that has experienced much suffering. If this enquiry is not about helping the victims to pick up and start over with some sens...

The cost of any COE   is always of concern and especially so when there are competing demands for ever scarce resources. The debate surrounds getting value for money and the provision of jobs for the favoured few. Lawyers play a critical role in such enquiries. Where counsel in retained by private interests it is of no public concern. However, when the government selects counsel and pays for such services out of the public purse, then it is a matter for public scrutiny. Of course there is also the inferences to be drawn when counsel retained by the government displays political allegiance favourable to the governing political party, and in some instances play supportive roles during elections -- even contesting seats. The Snoring Commission was no different and the scrutiny was heightened by the withdrawal of the JLP and its associates from the proceedings. Consequently the findings are conditioned by the situation of " uncontradicted evidence" being prese...