The Opposition is calling for the Andrew Holness administration to remember its obligation under the United Nations Human Rights Convention to which it is a signatory.

In a statement, the Opposition said it further noted that “forced evictions constitute gross violations of a range of internationally recognised human rights, including the human rights to adequate housing, food, water, health, education, work, security of the person, freedom from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and freedom of movement”.

As a consequence, the actions of the Government represent a blatant disregard for the tenets of the UN Convention on Human Rights and supporting international conventions to which Jamaica is a party.

It is the obligation of a Government to ensure that a proper framework is in place to facilitate the ease of access to and ownership of property. Therefore notwithstanding the various assertions as to how the residents obtained property, the very fact that their actions were open, transparent and in the public view requires a different and humane approach by the Government.

Isat Buchanan, chairperson for the People’s National Party’s Human Rights Commission, said that “the demolishing of homes especially, without the service of adequate notice and an opportunity to be heard is especially egregious as it was led by the Government”.

He continued that “the forced eviction and removal of persons have only served to separate and alienate individuals from their families, homes and communities and will only result in increased levels of homelessness, reduction in living conditions, intensified government mistrust and social conflict and a continuation of the cycle of poverty so many of the residents have desperately sought to escape”.

“The Human Rights Commission of the People’s National Party is therefore calling on the prime minster, who is also the minster with responsibility for land and housing, to immediately refocus its action by ending all plans for the demolition, commence meaningful engagement with the residents and to work with all stakeholders with the view to returning not just the lost property but the dignity to the affected residents. Only by these actions can the Government assert itself as being a Government for the people; showing respect for human rights and specifically the right to be free from forced eviction.”