Petition for Action to Restore Trust in The Government of Jamaica

Petition Calling for Action to Restore Trust in The Government of Jamaica


In recent times, we the undersigned concerned citizens of Jamaica, have suffered national anguish and indignity, and have also suffered international disgrace from our Government%u2019s apparent link with organised criminality. Breaches of trust have damaged our country, and we no longer wish to see Jamaica suffer instability at home and a tainted national image abroad.

We listened to the Prime Minister%u2019s apology to the nation in his address of May 17, 2010. We remind him that his statement leaves questions that, in the interest of trust and transparency, the nation still requires him to answer.

We noted, in the body of the Prime Minister%u2019s address, the Government%u2019s stated re-commitment to reform. We had heard some of those words in the Prime Minister%u2019s previous speeches, most notably in his inaugural address in 2007. We noted in particular the following promises, taken from the body of the address of May 17, 2010 -

• Tabling in Parliament the proposals emanating from the Public Sector Transformation Unit for the restructuring of government to invite public comment before a final decision is taken.
  %u2022 Public sector transformation Appointment of a Special Prosecutor to fight corruption
  %u2022 Whistleblower legislation to aid in fighting crime and corruption
  %u2022 Independent Commission to investigate abuses by the security forces
  %u2022 Fiscal responsibility legislation to, among other things, exert control over our fiscal deficit and accumulation of debt.
  %u2022 Reform of the libel laws to enable greater transparency and accountability in government
  %u2022 Measures to reverse the institutionalization of political tribalism and garrisons as manifested in many constituencies across political lines including the Prime Minister%u2019s own constituency
  %u2022 Provisions for the impeachment of public officials
  %u2022 Term limits for the office of Prime Minister
  %u2022 Vesting constitutional authority in the Contractor-General and Electoral Commission
  %u2022 Laws to regulate political party financing
  %u2022 Enacting into law certain provisions of the Political Code of Conduct with appropriate oversight and penalties for violations
  %u2022 Criminal sanctions for breaches of the award of contracts
  %u2022 Measures to prevent the award of government contracts to individuals linked to criminal activities
  %u2022 Parliamentary oversight in the appointment of certain statutory positions
  %u2022 Parliamentary approval for the anti-crime Bills, the DNA Evidence Act and new criminal gang legislation
  
  The Prime Minister%u2019s apology indicated intent to repair damage, but we have heard statements of intent before. At this juncture, only action will suffice.
  
  
  
  We, the undersigned, call on Prime Minister Bruce Golding and the Government of Jamaica, to honour the promises of transparency and good governance. We therefore demand that, by June 1, 2010, the Prime Minister:
  
  1. Submit himself to questions so the public can begin to have a sense of closure regarding the situation that led to his apology; and
  
  2. Provide a time line for fulfilling the promises he re-stated in his May 17, 2010 address to the nation.
  
  3. So that all can monitor the action to restore trust, we ask that the timelines and responsibilities for implementation be made public.

  We Thank You for taking the time to read this letter.