News
Al Jazeera calls Jamaica the island of music and murder
Jamaica Observer
Thursday, April 29, 2010
THE international news network Al Jazeera has called Jamaica one of the most violent societies on earth in a documentary highlighting the turf wars, armed gangs and police killings on the island.
“With a population of less than three million people, police kill hundreds of people every year in what they claim are crime-related shootouts, making Jamaica's police force among the deadliest in the world,” said an AlJazeera.net report, which used as example the police killing of DJ Robert ‘Kentucky Kid’ Hill last year.
“Rights groups say that these shootings add up to a campaign of extra-judicial executions carried out by police who have taken the law into their own hands,” it added.
Kentucky Kid was one of 224 people killed in police shootings last year, Al Jazeera said.
"In the last ten years, 1,900 of our Jamaican citizens, officially, have been killed by the police, more than 1,900. In that time, one policeman has been convicted of manslaughter and he has been freed on appeal," Jamaicans for Justice’s Carolyn Gomes told the network.
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4/29/2010
I read and saw the tapes that ROBERT HILL placed in his house those cops in jamaica is sooooooo cold blooded they beat his wife who was 8th months pregnant, then turn and kill the man for his own rights.
4/29/2010
Bottom line is; INJUSTICE BREEDS INJUSTICE!! The so-called Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) are a big part of the problem here in Jamaica as they along with other international hypocritical human rights groups pressure successive Jamaican governments not to execute the murderers that are destroying our nation.
The extrajudicial killings by the police are wrong and many of them result from the police using the opportunity to "take out" the criminals when the chance presents itself as they are never really punished for their crimes. Almost EVERY week; there is news that a witness to a murder is killed, so only a fraction of these criminals ever spend any time in prison for their crimes! The result: frustrated police who have to sit back and watch a known rapist, extortionist and murderer walk free.
What do you think will happen the next time they come across that criminal; take him to court again? JFJ wants murderers to live but don't care about the 1,680 people murdered last year.
4/29/2010
Sorry for the errors below, but I was very Angry to have read the Bull Droppings about my Country..I'am a citizen of Europe, and I'am not geared to support the negatives about my Country Jamaica. They have not spoken of our Academic achievements. I'am not amazed to know that their Infringement on what goe's on in Jamaica is a Duplication of racism:
4/29/2010
Funny, I just finish watch this program on Aljazeera's youtube page and then it show up in my JamaicaObserver newsfeed. My take on the matter is if No justice can be found for a situation like that, Then Jamaica need an Earthquake!(Figure of Speech). The Man documented and prophecied his own murder at the hands of criminals in the JCF. Poor Japaneese lady now a widow and have to return to Japan with a new baby who she may one day have to tell how Jamaica Police Force Tourted and murder His/Her Father. And Reneto Adams need to be taken in front of the World Court for Crimes against Humanity!
4/29/2010
We should not have so much killings in our Country, this is a Fact, which I will acknowledge. But I'am living into a European State, and several of us who are living in Europe Must agree with me, ENGLAND is a Crime infested Society..No where in Europe they Rape Children, Murder and Rob old People like ENGLAND. TO several of you, please to look at CRIME WATCH on BBC on Wednesdays. COVENTRY, LONDON, BIRMINGHAM. MANCHESTER, Robbers and Murderers are Every where..The Larger Countries consist of more Criminals, because there is more Space for them. There are more Criminals in America than England for example. Where on earth the Most House breakers and Car Thieves are? ENGLAND. I had lived there. From SHEFFIELD, all over, and you are not allowed to Kill them inside your House. We will sort out our Country, soon. I'am afraid of living in England than Jamaica, You can protect yourself, from a Criminal in Jamaica, in Britain you Cant..You must allow him to rob and kill you, call the Bulls:
4/29/2010
The title of the documentary should have read:
Jamaica the land of music, sparkling sunshine, emerald beaches, luxurious blue mountain, magical vibe, etc. etc. etc.
(oh, and rice and peas) (oh, and yes...crime)
4/29/2010
It's never a pleasant thing to have someone shine a flashlight on us to expose our flaws and weaknesses to the world. While it's true that life is imperfect in other countries, if we truly love Jamaica, we should learn to accept the criticism and not become overly defensive. The truth is the truth and sometimes it hurts like hell. What good is all this freedom that Jamaicans supposedly have when so many people are too terrified to both sleep and leave their homes, when people have to constantly look over their shoulders in fear of criminals as well as the police? Is that really freedom? Let us take this exposure as a stepping point to make Jamaica the jewel it used to be. Government leaders, where are you and what are you going to do to end the bloodshed?
4/29/2010
JAKKA! and yet dem a heng dem hope pon tourisim
4/29/2010
We do no do things like England. We are allowed to defend ourselves, rather with a Gun or a knife..If you are being attacked in your Home, you have the rights to defend your self. In England where your Station is Located, you are deprived of your rights. We do not kill our daughters, if they wish to marry a person of a different race. Every where their are different reasons for Killing. Our ancestors had to kill, to get away from the Imperialist slave masters..And we will continue to kill If it's required. Music is our Culture. Music and Murder is all they have left us with, you see Al Jazeera:0) Think of how many were Murdered in America, during the Struggle for Reckognition, in Dr King's era..have you forgotten that?. If Gun men fired at the Police they will be killed. Try and get your facts straight..JAZEERA:
4/29/2010
A very true statement; this says a lot about Jamaica coming from a source like Al Jazeera. If the politicians and the media give the same level of attention to the crime situation as they do to the Manatt issue, no doubt we would see some positive changes. Crime should be the number one priority in Jamaica, nothing else. Solve the crime problem and every thing else become easier..
4/29/2010
This doesn't sound right......when people branding our little nation like that which they always do something is really wrong......Bruce have to do some thing about the crimes and killing that is going on in JA......because sooner or later nobody want to visit not even me.......but again we have to start with the Police them because them do a lot of wrongful killing too.......I don't know which politician can solve this problem that we are in, only the grace of GOD can solve Jamaica problem....as Bob say Total distruction is the only solution......too much curruptions
4/29/2010
Did you watch the video that accompanied the article? It's a shame to see that man killed just because a police crashed into him and wanted him to let it go. Investigate them now.
4/29/2010
WELCOME TO JAM ROCK........JAMAICA, JAMAICA!!!!!!
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