Dear Editor,

The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) reaffirmed its commitment to the national efforts to create a just, safe, and equitable society when, in 2020, it gave its unequivocal support to and played a pivotal role in the consultative process which produced the Crime Consensus Agreement and the Consensus Monitoring and Oversight Committee (CMOC).

At that time seven pillars were identified as the key areas in which urgent and purposeful action is needed for the reduction of crime, violence, and corruption in order to create a society which is marked by peace, justice, and fairness for all.

In our most recent encounter with CMOC, we received an update on the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the eight pillars of the Consensus Agreement. The CMOC report indicated, inter alia, that “only three of eight target areas (37.5 per cent) are progressing satisfactorily or close to plan”. We noted that while some pillars have registered some progress, this was woefully below expected performance that would confirm our confidence in the Government of Jamaica’s (GOJ) commitment to the process in general and the specific targets and timelines for deliverables to which it agreed.

The council, therefore, expresses its deep apprehension regarding the substantial delays and failures that have beleaguered the achievement of the KPIs of the Consensus Agreement and is particularly dismayed by the delays in progressing some of the critical pieces of legislation which are imperative and fundamental to the attainment of the goals of the consensus agreement and the eventual transformation of our society. Some of these items have languished at various stages of the legislative process. We are aware that the legislative process is an intricate and intense one, which involves multiple layers of engagement. We nonetheless remain convinced that, as on previous occasions when alacrity was required with passing laws, the same is required at this time.

The JCC is heartened to see the re-engagement of the Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang and notes his commitment to support more granular and specific deliverables that will allow more relevant and focused reporting by CMOC.

However, we call on the Government, which has rightly made significant pronouncements on the urgent need for our society to be characterised by principles and actions that lead to peace, to allay the disquiet of many people in the Church and the wider society, avert further erosion of the already battered trust in our political leadership and institutions, and make speedy and serious efforts to correct the slow pace of progress of all pillars of the Consensus Agreement. We urge the Government to commit to new delivery dates and communicate its plans to reprioritise the agreement.

We also call on all of the consensus stakeholders to quickly convene a gathering to rededicate/recommit ourselves to the principles and programmes of the consensus.

President Most Rev Kenneth Richards

Jamaica Council of Churches

presidentatjcc@gmail.com