THE EDITOR, Sir:

I was watching the news on TV on Tuesday, November 20 where the plight of some residents of Dam Head, St Catherine, was highlighted. They were being forced out of their homes. They were kept at bay by the police as their homes were destroyed. A number of residents were seen showing receipts to the media as evidence that they were legitimately occupying the land.

It was very heartbreaking to see the residents forced from their homes with nowhere to go. What was even more alarming was the fact these residents were totally on their own, with no one to fight for them. Just a few weeks before Christmas, they were losing a basic human right - the right to shelter - shelter that they claim to be rightfully theirs.

The residents reported that they had sought the court's intervention and were given a June 2013 hearing date! It is appalling that in a case that will directly impact scores of persons' basic human rights, they will have to wait six months to be heard, yet when Everald Warmington took the Jamaica Labour Party to court regarding an internal party matter, the judge was prepared to have the hearing on a Saturday, the day before the party's conference.

I make an appeal to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller: Your campaign was all about helping the poor. These people in Dam Head are suffering; they really need your help. I beg of you, put your influence where your mouth is. I am sure you have more clout than Mr Warmington.

These people need a swift day in court. Please show some compassion to the people you claim to care so much about. Instill in us a shred of hope that the basic rights of people who are struggling every day to make ends meet are just as important as the internal squabbles of the political elite.

ARNETT LINTON

arnettlin@gmail.com