Private sector groups urge PNP to support SOE extension

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The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is facing a joint call from a group of leading private sector organizations to support the extension of the states of public emergency (SOEs) which were recently imposed in seven parishes across the island.

The overall group of advocate organizations is comprised of the following:

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ)

The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC)

Jamaica Manufacturers & Exporters Association (JMEA)

Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA)

MSME Alliance

Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ)

The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MBCCI)

The Negril Chamber of Commerce

The Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce

The May Pen Chamber of Commerce

Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF)

Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA)

Dunn’s River Craft Traders Market Association

Ocho Rios Craft Council

Jamaican Craft Traders & Producers’ Association

In a joint release sent by the PSOJ on Thursday, the organizations said there is data to show that the SOEs have been effective in curtailing some amount of serious crimes, especially murders, and urged the Senate to allow the extension of the present SOEs until January 14, 2023, when the debate on the matter comes up in the Upper House on Friday of this week.

In laying out its rationale for the call, the organizations referenced a number of factors and circumstances that they said warrant an extension of the emergency measures.

Below is the full text of the release:

“On November 25, 2022, the Senate will debate the extension of the states of public emergency (SOEs) until January 14, 2023, in the select parishes where SOEs were declared on November 15, 2023.

“This broad-based grouping of the private sector and civil society (groups) supports the extension of the SOE and urges the Senate to pass the extension on the condition that the Government addresses outstanding key issues critical in achieving full Opposition support, until January 14, 2023, in the select parishes where SOEs were declared on November 15, 2023.

Murders have Declined Since SOEs Declared

“Since the declaration of the SOEs on November 15, we have seen murders decline significantly nationally, and in the parishes where the SOEs were declared nine days ago.

Nationally, the data shows 63 murders being recorded the weeks before the declaration of the SOEs. Data shows that 12 murders were recorded in the first week of the declaration of SOEs. This is a significant decline.

“Since yesterday (Wednesday), within the parishes and specific zones where SOEs were declared, murders have recorded a dip from 21 for the period November 7-14, to six from November 15-22.

“The data demonstrates that SOEs can help to save lives.

Appeal for Extension of SOEs through the Christmas period until January 14, 2023

“Jamaicans across the length and breadth of the country are living in a state of fear and anxiety, and consider the crime situation a chronic crisis. While the use of SOEs to contain the current surge of crime and violence is not a long-term solution, it has demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing murders.

“We recommend that these emergency measures be employed over the Christmas period, as a surge in criminal activities is the norm during this time, as criminal elements look to rob, extort and murder to increase ill-gotten gains.

JCF and JDF Recommended the SOEs

“The leadership of the JCF and JDF recommended the extension of SOEs to mitigate the loss of lives. This temporary measure, we anticipate, will ease the constant bloodletting, and enable law-abiding citizens to enjoy the holiday season.

SOEs are an Interim Measure

“We agree that SOEs should not be a routine measure in normal times, but believe that the trend in recent months suggests that we need additional measures now to disrupt criminal networks as soon as possible in order to reduce violent crimes and murder

Enhanced Security Measures

“We are aware that the Enhanced Security Measures (ESM) have been outstanding from Q-1 of 2021 as signed off in the Crime Monitoring & Oversight Committee (CMOC) consensus agreement. We acknowledge that there has been progressing, but this deliverable requires finalization.

“The Enhanced Security Measures will provide greater powers in the law to target, detain and neutralize known violence producers by providing strong intelligence to the justice system.

Collaboration of GoJ and Opposition on the Drafting and Passage of the ESM

The Opposition leader has indicated in Parliament that he has proposed a framework for the ESM and the prime minister has indicated that these measures are being drafted.

“We strongly recommend that the GoJ collaborates with the Opposition on drafting the ESM with a heightened sense of urgency to ensure that it has the smoothest possible passage through the lower and upper houses, so the measures can be utilized in the shortest possible time frame. We recommend that the draft legislation is brought to the lower house before the expiry of the SOEs on January 14, 2023.

Political Maturity required

“Jamaica is bleeding, and we are at a point of great frustration as citizens. We expect our prime minister to lead this process and engage the Opposition with humility and inclusiveness. We are hopeful that the Opposition will reciprocate.

“We strongly encourage the GoJ to consider suggested changes made by the Opposition on the clauses of the Emergency Power Regulations, once they don’t reduce the effectiveness of the SOE.

The private sector and civil society encourage a unified approach to crime-fighting, one that is without politicization. The citizens of Jamaica deserve the right to life, and to raise their families in a society that will allow them to do so without fear.

“We must win the war.

The following groups are supporting this appeal: