JAMAICA LABOUR Party sources said yesterday that despite the withdrawal of its lawyers from the West Kingston Commission of Enquiry, the party intends to seek redress for the victims of the July 7-10 security forces operation and their families.
"The party has every intention that the people who were killed or injured (in the operation) should have redress," Delroy Chuck, JLP spokesman on justice, said yesterday.
The Gleaner understands that although the party was split over whether its lawyers should withdraw from the enquiry, there was consensus that whatever course was taken, compensation for the victims must be pursued. But, Mr. Chuck said yesterday that the course of legal action on behalf of the victims was not yet decided and would depend on developments at the enquiry.
He expressed disappointment in how Public Defender Howard Hamilton has handled the matter involving the 16 witnesses who had given statements to his office.
"They thought he would have taken up the case in terms of a legal action on their behalf. They went to the Public Defender expecting a constitutional motion (not that the matter would have been turned over to the Commission of Enquiry)," Mr. Chuck said.
Other party sources contacted yesterday confirmed that there was a decision to pursue the matter of the victims of the operation, but said they could not comment on the matter then.
Derrick Smith, spokesman on National Security, said the JLP was determined to get the suffering of the West Kingston witnesses redressed, but that he could not give details on what course would be taken.
Responding to criticisms levelled at the lawyers representing the 16 witnesses who had given statements to the Public Defender, Mr. Chuck said there was nothing preventing the witnesses from acquiring their own lawyers. But, he said it was as a matter of courtesy that those lawyers should have informed the Public Defender of their intention to represent the witnesses.
