Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT), Kamina Johnson-Smith has indicated that Jamaica will not be signing the controversial ACP-EU Agreement in Samoa on November 15.
The decision follows an appeal from the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society (JCHS) and seven other Jamaican NGO’s that have raised concerns about the obvious threats the agreement presents to Jamaica’s national sovereignty in its current language.
In a press release issued on November 9, the JCHS which is chaired by Dr. Wayne West, cautioned the government against signing the comprehensive new binding 20-year agreement which will reintroduce Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) back into schools despite parents’ outrage in 2012 with regards to CSE’s sexualizing content; trap the nation in yet-to be-negotiated international instruments, and demand the acceptance of terms that directly threaten citizens’ freedom of conscience and speech among other alarming concerns.
In a letter dated November 9 and addressed to Dr. West, Johnson-Smith pointed out that Jamaica is a founding member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and was an active participant in the negotiations on the Samoa Agreement. She said she has taken note of the concerns raised in the domestic space.
“In relation to the signing of the Samoa Agreement, which is scheduled to take place on the 15th of November 2023, following the meetings of the OACPS and OACPS-EU Ministerial Councils in Samoa, and having due regard to our internal processes, please be advised that it is not the intention of the government of Jamaica to sign the agreement on this occasion,” Johnson-Smith wrote.
The JCHS had encouraged Jamaicans to call or email the MFAFT permanent secretary on Friday to ask that the agreement not be signed, or to at minimum, enter a reservation. A protest was being planned for Monday.
Dr West has commended the government for its decision to not sign the agreement on this occasion.
“JCHS and certainly the other seven NGO’s that had been party to the initial critique of the draft agreement look forward to being fully engaged in any continuing consultations by the government on this agreement, but also advise that if the language of the agreement remains unchanged, even after November 15, then our concerns also remain unchanged and we will also continue to lobby the government to ensure that this agreement does not have a negative impact on the laws of Jamaica and the lives of every Jamaican citizen,” Philippa Davies, advocacy officer for the JCHS told the Freedom Come Rain Newspaper.
11 thoughts on “Jamaica to defer signing of ACP-EU agreement”
Thank You Jesus!
I applaud the Foreign Affairs Minister for listening and responding to the concerns of the nation and for allowing Godly wisdom to prevail.
We will continue to be vigilant. This is our nation UNDER GOD in CHRIST
Glory to God
Do not sign.
If we listen to God’s voice and follow closely His precepts, or at least listen to those who do, Jamaica will be blessed beginning with the Government. Pay close attention to God’s heart for Israel (Psalm 122) and this nation will prosper.
Thanking God for these gate keepers! The Lord bless you and yours continually!!
Thank you LORD for answering the prayers of your people, you did it again LORD ,yes ,yes ,yes ,praise be to your holy and marvellous name.
There is know one who could stop this signing of the ACP-EU Agreement but you LORD Jesus Christ the son of the living God. We give you all the praise Hallelujah, Hallelujah, we love you LORD Amen 🙏
You really make it appear really easy together
with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I feel I would never understand.
It kind of feels too complex and extremely vast for me.
I am looking ahead to your subsequent post, I will try to get the dangle of it!
Good for you Jamaicans. 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Comprehensive Sexuality Education should not be imposed by anyone in any country. I congratulate Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade for the decision not to sign the ACP-EU agreement. Nov. 14, 2023
I stand up for what is right for the young people of the Caribbean, of each island and this world because it seems like adults are being lazy not living up to their responsibilities of raising the children properly and letting them do what they want. Even if you so called arrogant people out there pretend that you don’t believe in a higher power, that doesn’t mean that you will not give back the air you breathe and will stand up and answer for what you are doing now.