THE EDITOR, Madam:
A STRANGE report appears on the front page of one of our daily newspapers on Saturday November 18. I speak of the cruise ship where police in Port Antonio made a search of luggage of some passengers who resented the search.
Should the police exercise their role or do their duty irrespective of whom it pleases? There seems a practice that Jamaicans can be treated in anyway others feel. When they (tourists) come to us we are privileged to have them. So we dare not invade their privacy or space.
I draw attention to this for two basic reasons.
One, we are hounded as the chief conveyors of drugs to the land up north. Hence little respect is shown to citizens travelling to some foreign countries. I speak of a personal experience coming out of and entering into another country more than once where I was searched extensively, felt up by the officers without explanation other than to say they do random checks.
This is what I met; my carry-on luggage was searched even to the extent of the bag of toiletries. They opened up the wet rag. That was not enough. They searched my attaché case and every book I had in it. Yes, I was concerned but held it until seeing the reports of complaints by those who would patronise us in a visit.
Secondly, Jamaicans have no rights to exercise and be respected by others? In my case, I concluded that the personal search was due to my manner of dress. Perhaps I was too well-dressed and as a black man, was suspect.
The basic issue is that the persons coming to our shores should understand and appreciate the dilemma of the influx of guns and drugs to our land. Thus we need to stem the tide and co-operate as I was forced to do against my better judgement. On reflection, I think some persons around the world are poor assessors of character. So all are required to give and take whether we like it or not.
I am suggesting that when these things occur we should not be perturbed because all nations exercise their sovereignty in the interest of national security at all times.
I am etc.,
RUPERT A YOUNG
P.O. Box 7
Kingston 6
