Cousins questions Govt’s commitment to housing recovery

Opposition Spokesperson on Land, Lothan Cousins, has strongly condemned the government’s demolition of occupied homes in West Albion, St. Thomas, describing the action as inhumane, deeply insensitive, and inconsistent with Jamaica’s human rights obligations, particularly at a time when thousands of Jamaicans remain in need of housing following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

Mr. Cousins said the government’s broader approach to housing and displacement, most recently demonstrated by the demolitions in West Albion, stands in stark contrast to its appeals for international financial assistance to rebuild communities affected by Hurricane Melissa, exposing a troubling contradiction in its approach to housing and social protection.

“The sight of state bulldozers demolishing occupied homes and leaving vulnerable Jamaicans at risk of displacement is deeply disturbing,” Cousins said. “Whatever the legal status of the land, no responsible government should pursue actions that leave families homeless without ensuring that proper safeguards, meaningful consultation, and appropriate alternatives have been considered.”

Jamaica ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1975. International human rights standards, including the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights’ General Comment No. 7, recognise that forced evictions should be carried out only in exceptional circumstances and in accordance with strict procedural protections, including genuine consultation and measures to prevent individuals from being rendered homeless. “Respect for property rights and proper land management are important,” Cousins continued. “But they must be balanced with the dignity, rights and welfare of the people affected. A compassionate government does not solve one problem by creating another.”

The Spokesperson questioned the government’s priorities, noting that the administration has appealed to international financial institutions, including the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank, for assistance to rebuild homes and infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Melissa. “At a time when thousands of Jamaicans are still struggling to recover from the hurricane, the government’s priority should be rebuilding communities and expanding access to safe housing, not creating new cases of displacement,” he said. “The contradiction is impossible to ignore. The same administration asking the international community to support Jamaica’s housing recovery is simultaneously presiding over actions that place more families at risk of homelessness.”

Cousins said comprehensive documentation relating to the demolitions in West Albion is being compiled and will be shared with relevant international institutions and human rights bodies for their consideration. “International partners place significant emphasis on environmental and social safeguards, including respect for human rights,” he noted. “These developments raise serious concerns that deserve careful scrutiny. They are particularly troubling given that Jamaica is at the beginning of another hurricane season. With increasingly unpredictable weather events and thousands of Jamaicans still recovering from the last disaster, it is both worrying and unfortunate that actions are being taken which risk leaving even more families without adequate shelter.”

Cousins called on the government to immediately suspend any further demolitions until a fair, transparent and humane process is established. “We are calling for an immediate halt to these demolitions and for the government to engage affected residents in meaningful dialogue,” he said. “Jamaicans deserve housing solutions, not greater hardship. The government’s responsibility is to protect its people, particularly in the aftermath of a national disaster, and to ensure that every action it takes reflects that responsibility.”