JO - Ban on Jamaican entertainers

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Observer

Ban on Jamaican entertainers


Thursday, May 06, 2010


Dear Editor,


Music has had a profound effect on our people and culture. In Jamaica, we have seen the effect on the society of the music of two popular deejays, Adijah Palmer aka Vybz Kartel and David Brooks aka Mavado.

Read the whole letter here.

Snippet(s):

"Recently, Vybz Kartel was banned from performing in St Lucia because of his lyrics. The free movement of people is essential to the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, but it is the right of every nation state to decide who can enter and stay in its territory and under what conditions.

Several member states have implemented a tough immigration policy that affects nationals from other Caribbean countries, including Jamaica. While not attempting to give my support to member-states which have imposed a ban on Jamaican entertainers, I strongly believe that some are paranoid or fearful of repercussions."

&

"The free movement of people within the CSME is a privilege that should not be taken for granted. Therefore, if any member state, including Jamaica, can justify the reason for the hindrance of movement of any Caricom national, then I believe that such a state is entitled to act in its own self-interest. Then again, the denial or hindrance of free movement of Caricom nationals could be considered a violation of the treaty."

Charlie Brown
charliebbrown1004@hotmail.com