Dear Editor,

Human rights are inalienable, essential protection for all, no one is excluded.

When we mention human rights, we take a huge stance because we recognise that each person under the sun is equal and that each one of us is entitled to be treated in the same way.

No colour, no religion, no ethnicity, no sexual orientation, no age, no nationality should prevent us from being respected, accepted, and defended. It is a key password to full humanity.

What a challenging principle to be recognised as universal and inalienable, and what a powerful tool to guarantee that no one should be abused or left behind. We should consider human rights as the solid base for guarantees against tyranny, violence, corruption, discrimination, hate, and abuses.

Access to justice, inclusion, and tolerance are avenues to produce a rightful society in which everybody is fairly represented. When we talk about welfare, we recognise and promote a world without barriers.

Jamaica had to fight for a long time against discrimination and racism to build its own identity. Our ‘Out of Many One People’ motto is the most powerful message to unite and protect, recognising the dignity and rights of all citizens. There is no short cut when we reason about principles and their essence. It is a universal achievement.

Jamaicans are living in challenging times, and we all feel it. We frantically look at where such violence can lead us, and we risk losing clarity and the ability to reason in favour of livid anger, justifying human rights restrictions and increasing appeals for tough remedies, stiffer penalties, and shooting to kill.

Fear is understandable, but it is not a good advisor. Statements identifying human rights organisations as obstacles to the respect for law and order open an avenue towards a modern Wild West and completely miss the goal of a society ruled by the above-mentioned principles. Human rights groups represent, struggle, and lobby every day in defence of the most fragile people, offering representation to those without voice and power. We do work with people in need — women, children, the marginalised, LGBTQI+ community, incarcerated people, mentally ill people, and the homeless — to ensure assistance and access to justice. So many people need help and what we do is never enough.

This is our commitment, and it is a call not to endorse a culture of harsh punishment without any attempt to consider the roots of a problem. It is so much easier to rule than empower, to control through fear and irrational sentiments than seek a true alternative.

Carla Gullotta

Executive director

Stand up for Jamaica

carlajamaica51@gmail.com