Seniors advocacy organisation, the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP), is congratulating the Special Select Committee, chaired by Senator Sherene Golding-Campbell, for tabling its report towards the establishment of the Elderly Care and Protection Act at its most recent sitting.

Senator Floyd Morris, in his report last Friday (June 27), regarding the Criminal Justice (Administration) (Amendment) Act, remarked, “the crime of murder against the disabled and our senior citizens is indeed egregious”, reinforcing the need to include these vulnerable groups in the proposed legislation.

Earlier in mid-May, the CCRP appeared before the Senate committee to make recommendations for legislation that would protect the elderly.

The presentation, done by CCRP founder and executive chair Jean Lowrie-Chin, addressed laws that should govern the punishment of elderly abuse, the safety of the elderly, as well as standards regarding the maintenance and accessibility of public and private locations.

Other stakeholders, including the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), also made persuasive recommendations.

“CCRP thanks Senator Golding-Campbell and the committee members, including Senator Floyd Morris, who had moved the motion last year for their tabling of the report at today’s sitting, in such an expeditious manner, a critical step toward meaningful legislative reform,” the group noted.

“We have advocated on this issue for many years. CCRP is deeply grateful that our recommendations have reached this pivotal stage. We now look forward to a positive outcome, as this legislation is vital to the protection and dignity of all Jamaican elders,” Lowrie-Chin stated, expressing optimism about the progress.