If the community residents and leaders cannot access their Parish Council, which was created to lead parish and local development, then how can we guarantee the realization of our fundamental rights and freedoms as citizens?  The lack of realization of one right inhibits the ability to realize others, as such residents who are affected by bad roads, crime, poor transportation, limited food, and inadequate shelter are unable to live in full human dignity. If we are to realize the MDGs, Parish Councils and citizens must work together and respect each other!

In October 2008, internal and external leaders of Albion in St. Thomas (Jamaica) were mobilized to my Advocacy Planning Workshop (APW) to discuss critical issues to be addressed by community-based organizations (CBOs) as they prepared themselves for the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Key among the items were the need to: Acquire land for the development of a community center and multipurpose sporting complex; Improve police patrols in order to curtail the rise in petty crimes (break-ins and theft); Resurface roads; Bush empty lots; Control the development of informal settlements in adjoining areas; Control land erosion and flooding from Cow Bay; and Fence the pump house that supplies water to the community.

Mr. Ishmael Robertson, who represented the Member of Parliament, Hon. James Robertson, his son, articulated that the Secretary Manager of the St. Thomas Parish Council had portfolio responsibility for addressing the majority of the issues raised. He lamented the absence of that office and advised leaders to write a letter to them expressing extreme disappointment and the need for a meeting to address the issues raised.

From my experience on the Social and Economic Justice (SEJ) Project, I have not seen the Secretary Manger or any other representative of that office make an effective attempt to participate in or address issues of community development. I have worked in four unique communities: Albion Mountain, Albion, Morant Bay, and Springfield, and not once have they responded to our invitation to meet the leaders of the community and work with them in changing experiences of injustice.

As a social researcher with an emphasis on human rights, I have to face the reality of societal injustice in my country everyday. Though I am never isolated from its impact and haunts, I have to develop a resistant skin to ward of its psychological effects. Professionally I have a mandate to tour, research, and empower Jamaican communities in the rural and inner-city areas. I also work closely with societal leaders, which takes me into their communities and work spaces.

The economic and social divide between the poor and well-off Jamaican citizen is nakedly obvious. Social stratification can be seen quite clearly in any dark night. If you should take a drive throughout the country (rural and urban) you can tell by the indicators who is in each of the social groups. Just visit the Jamaican Photos and Videos pages of this blog and you’ll see the evidence. You can also view my post on Lifestyle of the Jamaican poor, Majestic Gardens and you’ll see absolute injustice–people on the brink of extinction.

You can review the draft of the educational tool that I created specifically for the pilot… Introduction to Inmate Economic and Social Rights.

From the outset, it is evident that inmate education on advocacy for the improvement of ESR is necessary, because there are obvious gaps when we compare national legislation and international principles. There is therefore a clear case for advocacy for the improvement of ESR and services to Jamaica’s prisoners.

My general intention in executing this program is to assess and evaluate the need for ESR programming in adult penal institutions, which will lead to recommendations and justifications for project funding, institutional building, and capacity development.

The first draft of my ESR sensitization tool captures Jamaican legislation and international guidelines and principles for inmates. One thing that you will notice is that national laws sometimes conflict with international principles, for example the use of solitary confinement as punishment.

Advocacy Letter

Petition Form

Advocacy Meeting Brief