KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) are today demanding action from the Government, following the tabling of the West Kingston Commission of Enquiry report in Parliament yesterday.

In a news release, the JFJ said the commission’s report detailed some of the “greatest assaults on human rights in Jamaica’s modern history” and serves as a reminder of the deadly cost of a culture of impunity – one paid by the over 70 Jamaicans killed during the joint police-military operation in 2010.

However, JFJ pointed out that the Commission’s report is not the end of the process but the beginning of another stage.

“Now, the government must commit to a serious programme of reform that recognises, interrupts and prevents human rights violations by the security forces and strengthens State organs capable of providing effective remedies,” the human rights group said. “Action is the only response that honours the dignity of victims and secures justice for those still harmed by State violence across Jamaica.”

The group is therefore calling on the government to respond officially to the report’s findings and expeditiously implement its recommendations.

JFJ moved to identify some key recommendations in the 900-page report, which it says needs to be addressed without delay.

The recommendations are that: the Government apologise to and compensate residents for the “excesses of the security forces during the operation”, affirming Jamaica’s binding human rights obligations locally and internationally; there be continued criminal investigations into the killings of residents whom “all the evidence adduced strongly suggests…were unlawfully killed by unidentified police officers”, placing a burden on the Government to ensure that the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) is sufficiently equipped to conduct impartial investigations, free from obstacles and frustrations; there be reforms of the security forces that would improve their use of force, arms management, and civilian oversight – longstanding issues raised repeatedly by civil society.

“Starting the process on these priority recommendations does not require lengthy deliberations – it only requires political will. On matters of such importance, further delay is not an option,” the JFJ said.