AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Public Statement

AI Index: AMR 38/004/2007 (Public)
News Service No: 073
16 April 2007

Jamaica: Amnesty International condemns homophobic violence


Amnesty International strongly condemns recent episodes of violence
against persons who are perceived to be gay in Jamaica. The organization
is particularly concerned by reports of mob violence against persons
perceived as homosexuals who are targeted because of their appearance or
behaviour, which seems to be increasing in frequency.
On Sunday 8 April 2007, a crowd allegedly surrounded a church in
Mandeville and hurled different objects through a window at the back of
the church. The attacks were directed at persons in attendance of the
funeral being held there, who the crowd believed to be homosexual. On 2
April 2007, another crowd reportedly threw stones and bottles at a group
of costumed men who were dancing in the carnival procession along
Gloucester Avenue in Montego Bay. According to reports, the crowd was
angered because the men were supposedly gyrating in a sexually
suggestive
manner and demanded that they leave the stage. According to eye-
witnesses,
the men were attacked, chased and beaten by the mob of around 30 or 40
people. At least one of them had to be hospitalized due to injuries.
These two incidents occurred only two months after a group of men were
targeted in a similar manner in a pharmacy in Tropical Plaza, Half-Way
Tree, in Kingston. A human rights defender told Amnesty International
that
a mob of at least 200 people had gathered outside the store, calling for
the men to be beaten to death because they were homosexual.

Amnesty International condemns these attacks and calls on the Jamaican
authorities to ensure that a full and impartial investigation of the
above-mentioned cases takes place, and that those responsible for the
incitement of violence and for public beatings will be brought to
justice.
In compliance with its international obligations stated in the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in the American
Convention on Human Rights, Jamaican authorities should send a clear
message to society that discrimination against sexual minorities will
not
be tolerated and that violent episodes will be fully prosecuted. Such
assaults are both human rights violations and a threat to the rule of
law
in Jamaica.

Amnesty International urges the Jamaican government to work closely with
human rights defenders and with groups representing lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender people in Jamaica to find solutions to prevent
these episodes from occurring again.

RAINBOW ALLIANCE OF THE BAHAMAS

A Response to the Rise of Violence Towards Homosexuals in Jamaica, The Bahamas and the region.

The increase in violence towards homosexuals in Jamaica is of great concern to homosexual communities throughout the world including the Bahamas . What is more troubling is the blatant lack of response and action from the Jamaican Government, and the Caribbean community.

The recent acts of violence in our neighbouring country include the hi-jacking of a funeral service and the desecration of the body to be interred, as well as the killing of gay rights activists…

The Rainbow Alliance of the Bahamas calls on the Bahamian government to challenge the Jamaican government to comply with its obligations outlined clearly in the International Covenant on Civil Rights and Political Rights, the American Convention on Human Rights and the Jamaican constitution and to exercise the full power of the law on all who perpetrate violence against homosexuals and homosexual communities in Jamaica.

Here in the Bahamas, recent statements at a political rally injecting homophobic sentiments concerning political candidates and supporters is most unfortunate and indicates that even in the Bahamas we are not immune, as the remarks were met with cheers from the crowd and none of the commentators or speakers sought to condemn the malicious and dangerous statements and instead described them as mischievous humour.

RAB also calls on the Bahamian government to take the steps necessary to ensure the eradication of violence against gays in the Bahamas, by promoting a culture of honesty, integrity and accountability, promoting a culture that respects diversity and differences and by initiating, passing and enforcing anti-discrimination legislation.

Only in this way will we ensure that the dangerous social environment of heterosexism and homophobia that exists in Jamaica will never exist in the Bahamas.

RAB Public Spokesperson

Erin Greene

An Advocacy For Tolerance
http://jonesbahamas.com/?c=128&a=12412

25th April


Perhaps it could not be otherwise.
This is the conclusion we are currently forming as we reflect on the nature of the current electoral struggle for power in The Bahamas.

Here reference is to the role that Big Money is playing in both major parties and the extent to which those resources are being used to finance an American-styled political campaign, one that is replete with slick advertisements, high-tech pandering and wedge issues.

Today we comment on the use of so-called ‘wedge issues’ that is being made by some political strategists and operatives in today’s Bahamas.

A wedge issue is a social or political issue, often of a divisive or otherwise controversial nature, which is used by one political group to split apart or create a "wedge" in the support base of an opposing political group, with a view to enticing voters to give their support to the first group. The use of wedge issues gives rise to wedge politics.

Political parties are usually fairly diverse groups though they will always try to project a united front. A wedge issue may often be a point of internal dissent within the opposing party, which that party tries to suppress or ignore talking about because it divides "the base."

Such issues are typically a cultural or populist issue, relating to matters such as crime, national security, sexuality (e.g. gay marriage), or race. Another party may exploit this dissent by publicly supporting the issue, and in effect align itself with the dissenting faction of the opposing party. A wedge issue is intended to bring about such things as:

A debate, often vitriolic, within the opposing party, giving the public a perception of disarray; the defection of supporters of the opposing party's minority faction to the other party if they lose the debate and the legitimizing of sentiment which, while perhaps popularly held, is usually considered inappropriate or politically incorrect; criticisms from the opposition then make it appear beholden to special interests or fringe ideology.

To prevent these three consequences from occurring, the opposing party may attempt to take a "pragmatic" stand and officially endorse the views of its minority faction. However, this can lead to the defection of supporters of the opposing party's majority faction to a third party, should they lose the debate.

For better or worse, the wedge issue concept has been imported into The Bahamas; and is being put to use by some who see it --despite its religious garb-- as a legitimate political weapon.

While we know the names and occupations of some other political operatives who are playing this game, we recite but one of them; Frederick McAlpine.

We can honestly tell you that we felt it.

We thought it.

Now we know it for a fact.

What we now know is that there are political operatives abroad in this land who have decided to play the so-called gay card.

There are others abroad in the land that are getting set to play their own preferred version of the morality card.

One or two other zealots are getting set to play their version of the rape, capital punishment and law and order card.

But no matter what card is played the purpose is the same; namely that of identifying, isolating and thereby assisting in the political demise of this or that person, unlikely enough to brook the ire of this nation’s new thought police.

One pristine example of how far, how deep and how terrifying this kind of politics can go is exemplified by some of what Frederick McAlpine had to say about this or that political figure in the Progressive Liberal Party.

His rhetoric was flamingly homophobic, blatantly incendiary, asinine and totally unnecessary.

We believe too that the questionaire put out by a group of pastors is unnecessarily intrusive. It runs the risk of being abusive. And for sure, it can become a precursor to witch-hunting.

No sensible Bahamian should condone such a project that is freighted with such possibilities.

We hasten to add that we are not questioning the extent to which certain pastors may or may not be sincere and therefore convinced that they are correct. Our advocacy is otherwise.

It is an advocacy for tolerance and respect.

And for sure, it is also a cry against intolerance and witch-hunting.

Sadly, this is where many Bahamians want us to be in our social development. They believe homosexuality to be wrong and an abomination and therefore should be punished publicly.

Politicians, many of whom do not share this closed-minded view, encourage people like Freddy McAlpine to spew diatribe about homosexuality and give them forums to weaponize the lifestyle because they (politicians) believe it's what Bahamians thrive on...it'sup to us to show them that we are more matured and sophisticated than that!

RAB will be the guest on Love 97 FM on
Friday 27th April @ 11:30am @ www.jonesbahamas.com

I didn't see anything related to the Bahamas in the AI report. Did I miss something, or are you drawing the condemnation of Jamaica to the Bahamas as well?

Not that there isn't similar issues, but AI's report didn't mention the Bahamas as far as I could see...

I didn't see anything related to the Bahamas in the AI report. Did I miss something, or are you drawing the condemnation of Jamaica to the Bahamas as well?
Not that there isn't similar issues, but AI's report didn't mention the Bahamas as far as I could see...

the AI report doesn't mention the BAhamas...the Press statement from RAB attempts to support Jamaica by bringing the discussion into the local context....
plus it was a wonderful non-partisan opportunity to comment on mcalpine's statements...and to highlight how such 'trivial' behaviour can create more violent circumstances

What you do is your business, not everyone needs to agree with you or support you for that matter.

I believe you have a right to be or do what you so chose but please dont demand that the world change to acccomodate your choice.

And something I always say to my children be proud of your choices and dont expect the whole world to celebrate your choice because not everyone will.

I am not going to try and explain Mr. Fredrick McPline, but I understand what he was saying. It was a political comment base on the fact that the PLP candidates are implying that the FNM does not embrace or have strong christian belief. Mr. Rolle from South Beach when as far to say that the FNMs are scare of God, and scare to hear about God...Fooliness. He believe he was shining the light on questionable characters in the PLP party.

In this political climate one foolish comment is getting an equal foolish response.

I am a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I am proud of this. I pray to God to be able to love and respect everyone and the choices they make for their lives.

I have two brothers who live homosexual live styles and I loveeee my brothers. I dont judge them I pray for them because it is my belief that homosexuality like ALL SIN does not please God.

I am a christian FNM with 2 homosexual brothers, who love all of God people.

Something I tell people when I am ministering to them that only God can judge us. Romans Chp 8.

oh yeah, he listed a number of ungodly behaviour among the PLP canidates, rape, stealing, disorderly conduct (fighting in th house)...

What you do is your business, not everyone needs to agree with you or support you for that matter.
I believe you have a right to be or do what you so chose but please dont demand that the world change to acccomodate your choice.
And something I always say to my children be proud of your choices and dont expect the whole world to celebrate your choice because not everyone will.
I am not going to try and explain Mr. Fredrick McPline, but I understand what he was saying. It was a political comment base on the fact that the PLP candidates are implying that the FNM does not embrace or have strong christian belief. Mr. Rolle from South Beach when as far to say that the FNMs are scare of God, and scare to hear about God...Fooliness. He believe he was shining the light on questionable characters in the PLP party.
In this political climate one foolish comment is getting an equal foolish response.
I am a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I am proud of this. I pray to God to be able to love and respect everyone and the choices they make for their lives.
I have two brothers who live homosexual live styles and I loveeee my brothers. I dont judge them I pray for them because it is my belief that homosexuality like ALL SIN does not please God.
I am a christian FNM with 2 homosexual brothers, who love all of God people.
Something I tell people when I am ministering to them that only God can judge us. Romans Chp 8.


thank you for sharing that...
i am not trying to force the world to agree with homosexuality...

i want bahamians to be safe in their own country...to feel safe in their own country...

mcalpine's statements...rev or not were unacceptable (and dangerous)....the statements that the PLP people made about FNMs are unacceptable (and foolish)....

we are still a democracy...not a christian theocracy....

soon they'll be saying: if only god can judge you...then only god can protect you (from mob violence and death)

oh yeah, he listed a number of ungodly behaviour among the PLP canidates, rape, stealing, disorderly conduct (fighting in th house)...

they kill people for being gay...in jamaica...and even in the bahamas....
come on what's more important...creating a dangerous environment for gay people...or proving that you are corrrect...

if they are correct and homosexuality is wrong...god will reward them....

All lives are sacred!

I have children I want a safe Bahamas, I dont know what choices they will make when they are grown

All lives are sacred!
I have children I want a safe Bahamas, I dont know what choices they will make when they are grown

so lets create a social environment that respects diversity and differences...and promote a culture of honesty integrity and accountability so our kids can make informed...reasoned and heart-felt decisions lead healthy lives physically and emotionally....

oh yeah, he listed a number of ungodly behaviour among the PLP canidates, rape, stealing, disorderly conduct (fighting in th house)...

He forgot sweathearting, but hold on, ain't a few FNMs guilty of des same transgressions?

*I hear the sound of rocks throwing and glass breaking*

(I kid, I kid) :D

He forgot sweathearting, but hold on, ain't a few FNMs guilty of des same transgressions?
*I hear the sound of rocks throwing and glass breaking
(I kid, I kid) :D

RABs statement was non-partisan...not attacking any particular party or their policies...simply encouraging all parties to actively create a safer environment for all bahamians in particular gay bahamians...