The Jamaican Constitution should be taught in schools

THE EDITOR,Madam:

I note with interest The Gleaner’s concern about the general ignorance of Jamaicans of their fundamental rights and freedoms, and their seeming readiness to trade them as expressed in your editorial of April 22. Blatant abuse of citizens’ rights by persons and institutions in authority has long been my own concern. It is my firm belief that the Jamaican Constitution should be taught in all schools. It is not enough for the Government to leave it to enterprising citizens to ferret out this information on their own. For most Jamaicans, basic needs would preclude such an effort.

I venture to suggest that very few Jamaicans are aware of the rights to which they are entitled to under the Constitution of Jamaica, which is the highest law of the land. No person, not even the prime minister, can flout it.

A constitution is important because it ensures that those who make decisions on behalf of the public fairly represent public opinion. It sets out the ways in which those who exercise power may be held accountable to the people they serve. It also states where government powers end by guaranteeing individuals’ specific rights and freedoms. These rights help to assure the protection and promotion of human dignity, equality and liberty.

I totally support The Gleaner’s call for the public defender, Carolyn Reid-Cameron, to lead a sustained public information/education campaign about human rights, as well as execute the public defender’s specific mandate to help citizens facing abuse by state agencies.

BERL FRANCIS