The Advocates Network (AN) is calling for the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians as promised in 2009 under Vision 2030. The group said the call for civility and decency from all political representatives is now more urgent as the country prepares for the 2025 election season.
“This call is in light of the utterly reprehensible comments made by MPs (Member of Parliament) Everald Warmington and Juliet Cuthbert at the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) 81st Annual Conference, on November 24, about the Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding’s racial lineage and how it disqualifies him from becoming prime minister. That both MPs irresponsibly took these vile racist barbs, made on other platforms, to the national stage, shows contempt and disregard for the public outrage, which occasioned their racially divisive, and politically explosive sentiments,” AN said in a press release.
The group noted that both MP’s are guilty of making comments that contravene the provision in our Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees to all Jamaicans freedom from discrimination on the basis of race, social class and colour.
The AN stated further that the discriminatory comments contradict the State Party Report (2019) submitted by the Government to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), which concluded that there is an “absence of overt racism and racial discrimination in formal systems and structures in Jamaica.” Article 1.1 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) defines “Racial discrimination” as “…any distinctions, restrictions and exclusion based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origins…”
“Even more troubling is the perception that despite our motto being “Out of Many, One People”, there is some hidden understanding that Jamaica may harbour sentiments of an ethno-racist state that disqualifies those who are not of African ancestry from holding certain positions in our government. This notion if left unaddressed is as harmful as it is familiar — South Africa stands witness as to the serious consequences,” the non-partisan organisation stated.
The AN has also called on Prime Minister Andrew Holness, to exercise moral leadership by not only rebuking and sanctioning both MPs, but to make it unequivocally clear to the nation that this is not the position of the Jamaica Labour Party or the government.
Apart from calling for civility and decency from all political representatives, the AN is also urging the government to debate the Constitution (Amendment) (Impeachment) Bill tabled in 2021.