Allegations of detainee beatings at police station, JFJ demands action
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaicans for Justice is demanding that urgent action be taken by the relevant authorities after reports, which the group described as “credible”, that two detainees received “serious physical abuse” while in police custody.
In a news release Wednesday, JFJ said it received the reports from family members of people detained at the Central Police Station.
“We demand urgent action by the relevant authorities to address threats to their life, safety, and fundamental human rights,” JFJ said. “We call upon the authorities to immediately institute protective measures, conduct investigations into the reports of beatings, and provide access to proper medical care.”
In the news release, JFJ said according to informants, between September 19 and 23, the detainees were allegedly beaten by police officers during an attempted transportation to a scheduled court appearance.
“One of the detainees reportedly sustained very severe injuries that have compromised his health. We are advised by multiple sources that based on the severity of their injuries, they were not brought to court as scheduled,” JFJ noted.
The human rights group said it was also advised that despite continued requests for proper medical attention, one detainee reportedly continues to experience debilitating health conditions that suggest worsening injuries and “potentially threatening medical complications”.
JFJ said the reports have potentially adverse long-term impacts for detainees that must be addressed as in several cases of beatings in detention in Jamaica, injuries have resulted in the death of detainees.
“There exists at this point a well-established risk of irreparable harm to life, physical wellbeing and health in these instances which the authorities are duty-bound to meaningfully address without delay,” JFJ said, adding that based on reports, this has not occurred.
Subsequent to the alleged beating, the detainee was reportedly brought to a health centre but JFJ says that he continues to fear for his “declining health, and exhibits signs of severe distress and emotional trauma”.
“These reports, if determined to be true, raise serious human rights concerns, including possible violations of the right to bodily and physical integrity, the protection from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and the right to health, all of which are protected under national and international law,” the group said.
JFJ said it is “deeply disturbed” by the reports.
“We remain concerned that so many Jamaicans face great risk of human rights violations while in the care of the State,” JFJ continued.
All persons, according to JFJ, regardless of criminal accusation or negative public sentiment against them, have fundamental rights which the State is legally mandated to protect. JFJ is insisting that
people detained by the police, pending trial, do not lose their rights because they are detained. “Instead, the police maintain a duty of care that requires that safeguards be established to protect them,” the group said.
JFJ says it is therefore calling on the lawmen at the Central Police Station and the High Command of the Jamaica Constabulary Force to take decisive action to address the reports.