Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) has expressed alarm at comments made by National Security Minister, Dr Horace Chang, instructing police to “shoot to kill” when confronted by armed criminals, as well as indicating that the emergency response will not be bothered with accused persons being provided with medical treatment if they are harmed.

In a news release on Friday, JFJ labelled the remarks as “inciteful rhetoric” and argued that Chang’s stance may “very well be interpreted” as a tacit approval of extrajudicial killings, as well as seemingly suggesting that injured individuals should perhaps be left to die.

While breaking ground for a new police station in Westmoreland, Chang stated that the police should “shoot to kill”. He further went on to indicate that “he is not sending any ambulance out there either”, making reference to situations where individuals may have been harmed during confrontation with the security force.

READ: Chang: 32 alleged gangsters on bail wreaking havoc in Westmoreland

“While JFJ stands with members of the security forces defending themselves, it is to be done in keeping with documented local and international Use of Force and Firearms policies, as well as Codes of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials which guide the professional and ethical behaviour of the police. The organisation also cautions that claims of evading of arrest, suspicion of crime cannot justify the use of lethal force,” JFJ said.

The human rights group lamented that making such an order and instruction to the security forces as a means for cracking down on crime “is not only irresponsible but a clear violation of the right to life and security as it could lead to further killings in the country while still not moving the country closer to addressing the high crime rate.

“This signal and urging from the ‘responsible’ minister that a de facto shoot-to-kill policy is encouraged should be rejected by all Jamaicans,” the JFJ said.

It added that it strongly condemns Chang’s statements and opposes any measure which it said will further “exacerbate the culture of impunity amongst law enforcement officials in relation to human rights violations and, in turn, undermine the country’s human rights progress.”