Dear Editor,

Superstars can never be separated from their hometown. George Orwell’s Animal Farm made the point that, “All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.”

Efforts to “flatten” humanity never succeed. Despite “downpression”, victimisation, staged aggravation, provocation, and strategic psychological bashing from multiple quarters, the “brightest and the best” emerge victoriously. Sadly many who initiate peace marches are thieving wolves without remorse. The motive to hold the opponent’s hand was never a friendly exchange, but covert intention to ambush with plunder while your rival is at ease.

Jamaica, a post-colonial Commonwealth country, is unfortunately marred by a culture of blatant, vicious systemic and retaliative violence. Could this phenomenon, which is internationally documented over time, lead the entire world in withdrawing support from Jamaica? The web page of Amnesty International notes that:

“Jamaica again failed to ratify the Rome Statute of the ICC (International Criminal Court ), which it signed in September 2000, nor had it adhered to the UN Convention against Torture or the International Convention for the Protection of Persons from Enforced Disappearance.” ( www.amnesty.org/en/countries/americas/jamaica/report-jamaica/)

The Rome Statute lists the four core targeted international crimes as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crime of aggression. Could Jamaica’s perceived non-compliance become an open door for rising human rights coalition lobbies against the island due to the abhorrent murder rate and other reported human rights abuses?

Could consequences result in embargo, boycott, barring our participation in sporting, trade and other interaction coupled with accusatory shouts of suspicious success by adversarial competitors?

Is there already a paper trail of “drug violations” and a predetermined jury aiming to throw the book at us?

Despite Jamaica’s “no problem” smile, the teeth appear full of blood and a very foul smell hovers. Such an unstemmed tide may cause an indefinite ban on Jamaica’s involvement in sport internationally, as occurred to South Africa for apartheid practices. The gang of enemies has their bandwagon ready. It will only take one disgruntled wounded one to demolish Jamaica’s glory. Is such thought inflammatory or inciting riot?

It is on the books, the writing on the wall, our well-deserved punishment. The entire country would demand a fair, not a fear trial. We would cry, “Malice Aforethought!”

Thus it is for our court to clean the slate and review our image in the mirror. The young can easily convert their nationality. Not so easy for Jamaica to land a new birth certificate? The careers of athletes, less so their sponsors, coaches and supporters are so easily terminated.

Helen-Ann Elizabeth Wilkinson

helenannelizabethwilkinson@yahoo.co.uk