A suggestion by opposition spokesman on Justice and Governance, Senator Mark Golding, that hanging is not the solution to Jamaica’s crime problem has ignited a debate among Jamaica Observer online readers. Golding’s suggestion came Sunday in response to a declaration by National Security Minister Robert Montague on Friday that the Government would be assessing if there are any legal impediments to resume hanging. Golding, who was justice minister in the previous People’s National Party Administration from 2012 to February 2016, also said that Jamaica would face a backlash from international partners if hanging is resumed. Here are some edited comments:

PhilT McNasty

Mr Golding, I strongly agree with you here. The death penalty is just too arbitrary, because while two crimes might be equally gruesome, only the one who cannot afford a good lawyer gets the DP. Why are there no rich people on deathrow anywhere? Go figure! Death for the poor and fines for the rich!

The death penalty might have its place, but the evidence must be extremely convincing. I personally do not trust my country (Jamaica) to be very diligent when it comes to investigations.

LRH

@PhilT McNasty: Easy for the opposition’s peanut gallery to “beat up their gums”…It’s going to take a multi-strategy approach, of which this proposal is just one. Those who don’t do, instead criticise.

kgn 13 yute

Governance in Jamaica is similar to a game of dominoes. The spectators/opposition always have/see the solutions from the outside, but when it’s their turn to play/govern they either have no solutions or just colt the game.

GAD1066

Time to do something.

Granny Bwoy

I have to agree that hanging is NOT the solution to Jamaica’s or any other country’s crime problems for that matter. Crime needs a multi-faceted approach, starting with discipline in the homes, continuing with education, job opportunities via economic growth. Hanging the man who murders today will not deter the other potential murderer from doing it tomorrow if all he sees is the gallows. Hanging will only be a factor if the potential murderer has something to live for.

CHUCK EMMANUEL the FIRST

So if not the death penalty, or the implementation of the anti-gang law, how does the Opposition spokesman suggest that we dismantle, or deter domestic criminal terrorist murderers? Does he propose that we continue to waver to terrorists as the current Opposition did the past five years ?

Tellditruth

@CHUCK EMMANUEL the FIRST: That is why they are in opposition, because they are not listening to the cry of the people! We don’t care about international partners when our people are dying daily by the hands of these terrorists. Who can tell the USA not to execute murderers like the ones who killed the two missionaries? Full time wi start bruk dem neck again!

mangoosetown

The talk of resuming hanging is a result of desperation. The answer to Jamaica’s crime problem is the galvanising of the people. So far, the politicians have not been able to do so, because the people don’t trust them. Let the leaders start by cleaning up their acts and we will begin to see differences.

The police force needs cleaning up! As far as I am concerned, the police should be priority in terms of tax break. Use it as a motivator to get more educated and brighter young people in the force.

There are a lot of things we can do to solve crime, but the authorities refuse to do them. One example is the overlooking of what is called minor crimes. In developed and civilised societies you throw a piece of paper on the street and you are charged for it. This is where discipline starts. When you are building a house, you start from bottom up, not from top to bottom.

countrybumpkin

What were you doing during your tenure?

Ellydeedo

Senator Golding must now begin to consider that the voices of the people is that which is of vital importance and not outsiders. Jamaica is an independent country, meaning that it has all rights to govern itself, implement any legislation that is within its rights. Our country is not governed by International partners and human rights organisation.

Mr Golding’s argument here is in support of the idea that, because he forms part of that political organisation that has sold out the sovereignty of Jamaica, we are not eligible to implement legislation that international partners might not be in support of.

Golding must understand that international partners and human rights group have no rights to infringe any legislation that a sovereign Government might consider to be appropriate.

Wisdom

@Ellydeedo: We only have an independent flag but in practice we are very far from being an independent nation!

Scandinavia

Today China is an economical powerhouse because they knew how to act when crime was taking over the country. China used to transport the criminals to the place where they committed the crime and execute them there in public so that those who are thinking of committing similar crime will face the same punishment. The West did not approve the action of China and they protested but China ignored their protest. The same people that protested saw it fit to invest in China today because they know that they are safe to do business there and need not be looking over their shoulders for gunmen.

Don Bruno

Golding and his colleagues had their chance and blew it. They ought to step aside and let Montague do his job. Hanging will be a deterrent if it is swift and sure. The current breed of terrorists will not be persuaded by any amount of economic opportunity as they are bent to rob, steal and murder. Jamaica should reject the bleeding heart argument of Golding and company, and exact vengeance on the sobs.

fadagong

Hanging with that creaky justice system is certainly not recommended!

NejeeperKNG

Well capture ‘Duppy Film’ and turn him over to the human rights group. This type of announcement seems to embolden the criminals, watch the murder rate spike.

Blitz

I agree with you, Senator Golding. We need deterrent not hanging. Glad to know you have recently discovered some of the measures that can result in deterrence.

Calabash Man

Compare Jamaica to Cuba, Mr Golding, not the developed countries of the world. Cuba should be our model when it comes to crime.

Duke Prepre

Well, let us bring it back temporarily, as a test case; while we clean up death row.

tvstreamjm

Don’t use hanging. Use the electric chair! Somebody needs to send these criminals a lesson.