In response to the wrong-headed zealous over-reach of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) former minister of National security Peter Bunting spoke out.
The investigation is a protracted witch-hunt into the actions of the security forces as they entered Tivoli Gardens in 2010 to arrest Christoper duddus Coke a reputed gangster wanted by the United States on an arrest warrant.
The neophyte Agency which was created to have oversight over the Military, Police and Corrections Departments has waged a campaign of prosecutorial witch-hunt against Agents of the state, the majority of which has resulted in it’s own findings of no wrongdoing.
As a result of the security forces actions in annexing the garrison community of Tivoli Gardens to the Jamaican state, the security forces employed military tactics to wrest control from the militia loyal to Coke and return a semblance of normalcy to the state.
It is against this background that this Government agency INDECOM is waging a campaign to search the Military facilities to look for evidence of Mortar use during the operation under the guise of oversight.
Minister Bunting in his wisdom, and on the Constitutional Authority vested in him then, used his powers to grant members of the Jamaica Defense Force immunity from prosecution.
Defending his actions which bars military members from any action, suit, prosecution, “or other proceedings” arising from “any act done in good faith” while carrying out their duties during an emergency period and noting that members of the JDF put their lives on the line while serving the people of Jamaica in good faith, Bunting said “the minister of national security is obliged to protect them from unnecessary prosecution “and not leave those brave soldiers out in the cold”.
“Having acted legitimately and in good faith pursuant to the state of emergency, the officers and ranks of the JDF were entitled to the evidence provided by my certificate,” he insisted. “Were it not so, how could we expect soldiers to put themselves at risk in such dire circumstances when Jamaica needs them again? The immunity provisions relating to states of emergency are in the law for good reason and should be applied accordingly,“Gleaner reporting.
WHY THE HELL ARE WE EVEN TALKING ABOUT THIS NONSENSE?
Whether the Powers had expired as it relates to the limited state of emergency shouldn’t the immunity powers be a tool of the Minister to protect the people under his command when they do what is asked of them?
Should members of our security forces be held to strict standards of course. Should we cower in fear in the face of intractable danger then persecute those who brave death to return out streets and communities to normalcy?
Hell no!
It’s astounding that this critically important fact can be lost on so many. This medium has dedicated numerous Articles specifically speaking to this very issue.
How can people say they want security and peace in their persons, homes , communities and country when the people empowered to provide said security are pilloried and persecuted while the killers and rapists and other anarchists stand aside unscathed?
I have often asked the question of myself rhetorically , why did I serve in this country, why does anyone serve in this country which is seen by many as a criminal paradise?
Then I recall that those who speak the loudest , in my estimation are not the most important people. The important rural folks want peace and harmony in their communities like most normal people do. Unfortunately the vast majority of those people do not control the megaphone.
The megaphone is gripped tightly in the blood-stained hands of the most despicable bottom ‑feeding social ‑climbers.
That is the reason it is so easy to assume that Jamaicans want a life of crime. It was not true two decades ago , it isn’t true today.
There simply are too many people in power who should be in jail and that’s the bottom line.
Well done Peter Bunting !!!