EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS by the security forces and politically-motivated murders headed the United State's Department of State's 2003 human rights report on Jamaica.
The document was officially released yesterday by Colin Powell, the U.S. Secretary of State.
According to the report, "There were reportedly eight politically-motivated killings during the year, committed by supporters of various political factions."
"The police committed some unlawful or unwarranted killings during the year," the report stated. However, the report noted that while the allegation of 'police murder' were frequent, the soundness of some were suspect.
The report also stated that the Jamaican Government generally respected the human rights of citizens. However, serious problems persisted in some areas.
"Members of the security forces committed unlawful killings. Mob violence against and vigilante killings of those suspected of breaking the law remained a problem."
Additionally, the human rights report said that many inner-city communities were controlled by well-armed gangs that trafficked in narcotics and guns. It said oftentimes the gangs were better equipped than the police force and conducted co-ordinated ambushes of joint security patrols.
Additionally, there was what the report labelled as "targeted assaults against police officers and their families."
The release also said that police and prison guards abused detainees and prisoners and that regardless of the Government's attempts to address the situation "continued impunity for police who commit abuses remained a problem."
NATION'S JAILS
The reports said the poor condition of the nation's jails and prisons was still a cause for concern. It also touched on issues such as brutality against detainees, poor sanitary conditions and the long-standing problem of overcrowding.
The judicial system was not spared as the report said it was "overburdened, and lengthy delays in trials were common." It found the nation wanting in the area of violence and discrimination against women and charged that "there were cases of societal discrimination against persons with disabilities."
A rare positive was the improved treatment of members of the Rastafarian religion.
The report entitled 'Country Reports on Human Rights Practices' is submitted to the Congress by the Department of State in compliance with sections 116 (d) and 502B (b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), and section 504 of the Trade Act of 1974.
