JG - Peace treaties, detention and human rights

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Gleaner

Peace treaties, detention and human rights

published: Sunday June 29, 2008

Martin Henry, Contributor

Since the police cannot find the men on its most wanted list or among the leaders of the 150 gangs, which Kingfish ACP Glenmore Hinds estimates operate in the country, perhaps they should begin by detaining the organisers and participants in peace treaties.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Peace treaties are wrong and dangerous - and they have never worked.

The pattern is clear: A pretence at peace until there is a reason for the war to resume.

The warriors of August Town, who signed last week, have insisted that they continue to bear arms as long as the weapons are not 'brandished'."

"The shameful failure of the Jamaican state to enforce law and order and to protect citizens from each other is lending legitimacy to militias and their peace treaties.

Dissing someone at a 'peace' dance, or chatting up the wrong girl, disagreement over spoils captured by the combined forces from the rest of society, or just sheer lust for blood influenced by drugs and jobless boredom will, in due course, terminate the peace."

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"Peace treaties legitimate the state within the state.

They convert criminals into soldiers and gang leaders into statesmen.

But even more perniciously, peace treaties leave communities captive to criminal forces and deny justice.

Perhaps, the most important reason why peace treaties do not hold - and cannot hold - is the fact that unless justice is provided to the victims of crime and their families and friends, mere boys with guns at their disposal will continue to carry out reprisal killings, a leading motive for murder in Jamaica.

Violence is inter-generational and inter-tribal, and peace treaties haven't broken that cycle."

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Martin Henry is a communication consultant. Please send feedback to medhen@gmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.