JAMAICA | Use the Courts to effect pre-charge detention of known violence producers Golding tells Gov't.

KINGSTON, November 28, 2022 - Opposition Leader, Mark Golding says since the government is aware of the 300 violence producers who are creating mayhem in the island, he recommends that  they be legally detained by order of the court before charges are laid against them, to prevent them corrupting the course of justice, instead of suspending the basic human rights of half the Jamaican population.

Addressing a press conference following a meeting of the People's National Party's National Executive Council, on Sunday, Mr. Golding recommended the use of pre-charge detention as a means of stemming rising crime, arguing that this approach is more targeted and does not use a blanket approach in going after criminals.

He told the media that "pre charge detention is warranted in Jamaica's present context, in relation to known violence producers who have been identified by credible intelligence as posing a realistic danger of inflicting serious violence against one or more individuals or the community."

The Opposition Leader has recommended the enactment of "a legal procedure... whereby law enforcement can apply to the Supreme Court, ex parte (without notice to the person being targeted), providing supporting affidavits of the credible intelligence that justifies the immediate detention of this individual."

The court would be asked for a pre charge detention order "in order to protect against that credible risk of serious violence."

The Opposition Leader re-emphasised that there is no reason for the Gov't to suspend the basic human rights of half the Jamaican population where SOE's have been declared to deal with approximately 300 alleged violence producers.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding has re-emphasised that there is no reason for the Gov't to suspend the basic human rights of half the Jamaican population where SOE's have been declared to deal with approximately 300 alleged violence producers.

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— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) November 28, 2022