Graham Glover (second right), deputy British high commissioner, looks through a copy of a Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) report as he speaks with (left to right) David Wong Ken, chairman of the JFJ board; Dr Carolyn Gomes, JFJ executive director and Susan Goffe, JFJ spokesperson, during the launch of the report on 'The Bob Woolmer Legacy: Lessons for Jamaica' at the Knutsford Court Hotel, St Andrew on Friday.- Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer
Human Rights Group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) has outlined several lessons to be learnt from the death of former renowned Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer.
The 2007 to 2008 Justice Report entitled: "The Bob Woolmer Legacy: Lessons for Jamaica" focuses on Woolmer who died mysteriously during the 2007 Cricket World Cup in Jamaica.
The report includes a contextual overview of the justice system as it relates to the state of the investigative bodies, forensic post-mortem procedures and inquests prior to Woolmer's death. It analyses the various arms of this system, which was instrumental in investigating his case, and looks at the steps taken towards improvement in the aftermath of the probe into his death.
Speaking Friday night during the launch of the report, Carolyn Gomes, executive director of JFJ said Woolmer did not choose to die in Jamaica, but he did, and his high-profile experience carried Jamaica on a journey through our justice system.
"He didn't ask for better treatment than a Jamaican should be afforded, but he got it. He didn't demand transparency, but in the end his case received it," she said.
Law enforcement
Gomes told the gathering at Knutsford Court Hotel, St Andrew, that the report tells the story of what law enforcement, forensic scientists and doctors, coroners, and policymakers can achieve when the light is kept on their efforts.
"This is a story about a system that can, when pressed, function in a somewhat effective fashion. It is however, also a story of systems so neglected, corrupted, inefficient and ineffective that, even with the world's spotlight on it, some portions of it were unable to function effectively or acceptably," Gomes said.
Justice and security
Meanwhile, guest speaker Graham Glover, deputy British high commissioner, told the gathering that the role of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in the delivery of justice and security is crucial.
"That is why, we, alongside other international partners, believe it of massive importance that the recommendations arising from the strategic review of the police force be implemented in full," said Glover, adding that this would require brave and determined leadership.
"The report that is being launched tonight makes clear some of the efficiencies that befell one of the most high profile police investigations and coroner inquest Jamaica has seen. But there were also some very high positives. The Woolmer case was in many ways a diamond standard - albeit one that was a rough cut in places," he said.
Some of the lessons learnt
It is possible for forensic personnel to visit incident scenes and do so promptly
Autopsies in Jamaica are not being performed according to international standards.
It is possible for Coroners' Inquests to have a timely start.
It is possible to set consecutive days to hear cases.
It is possible to review evidence in cases that have been deemed inconclusive.
It is possible to investigate cases expeditiously.
