As Jamaica’s murder rate escalates and the country continues to be bedevilled by an uncontrollable crime problem, Government Senator Matthew Samuda is calling for the imposition of a minimum 30-year jail sentence for those convicted of murder.

This has been met by push back, particularly from international organisations insisting on more benign treatment of murderers and criminals.

Samuda, a minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, was having none of it, explaining in the Senate: “In the context of our high murder rate over many years, it is full time that the Jamaican state, via the executive and legislative branches, send a strong message regarding its unwillingness to tolerate slaps on the wrist for people found guilty of perpetrating heinous crimes.

“It is good that this administration has sent a message to those who bring long lasting pain to law-abiding members of society, by imposing a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years for those found in possession of an illegal gun. I unequivocally support the mandatory minimum penalty imposed for gun offences and indeed declare today that the mandatory minimum penalty of 30 years behind bars for murders cannot be soon enough.”

Samuda made his position known while making his contribution to the State of the Nation Debate on Friday (December 2).

The Government has sought to address the crime wave that threatens the very fabric of the nation but has been met with resistance from those who hold that the methods proposed violate fundamental human rights.

It has already been thwarted in its attempts to extend the states of emergency (SOEs) as the Christmas season draws near, during which the country is expecting bumper tourist arrivals.

Jamaica is closing in on in excess of 1,400 murders for the year, an increase on last year’s figure. A strong message has to be sent that lawlessness and wanton murder will not be tolerated in a country that wants to see law abiding citizens go about their daily business in peace and safety.

Marlene Malahoo Forte, minister of legal and constitutional affairs, has been working assiduously to put in place a legislative framework to stem the murders and punish brutal criminals.

“Your days are numbered because, by the time we finish this suite of legislation to come, there will be no hiding place,” Malahoo Forte said during a recent police conference.

“In many communities, you will have the criminals who walk about telling the citizens that they must comply because they have a firearm in their waist. I want to say to those who think that it is business as usual, those days are fast disappearing. Every law that is coming out of the Parliament is well thought out.”

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