‘DISGRACEFUL’

Attorney Isat Buchanan’s controversial utterances against Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Paula Llewellyn were yesterday labelled as a vile reminder of the long-fought battle against the disrespect meted out to professional females, and the damage that has already been done.

The comments from colleague attorneys came after Buchanan’s resignation from his post as chairman of the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Human Rights Commission.

Many strides have been made over the years, still, the sexual degradation of females continues regardless of their educational background or position, said attorney-at-law Shauna-Gay Mitchell.

Mitchell put forward her position following Buchanan’s comments on one social media platform on the weekend, where – quoting lyrics by his client entertainer Vybz Kartel, who is serving time in prison for murder – he instructed the DPP to perform a certain sexual act.

“For a lot of men, you could be the most educated person, all they see is a sexual object. A lot of people don’t see you as equal. Some men are still in the dark ages where they speak down to women and think they can behave in certain ways,” said Mitchell.

“And, if he can feel so comfortable as an attorney, let alone any human being, that is just the heights of disrespect. And he would have known what he was saying but just did not care,” she continued, adding the context of what she described as a highly misogynistic Jamaica, rife with abuse of females.

“By him making the statement, it is almost as if he is adopting Vybz Kartel’s position. So, yes, his resignation is definitely warranted and I don’t think anybody needed to call for his resignation.”

Yesterday, PNP President Mark Golding said Buchanan’s resignation followed a telephone conversation on Monday, hours after Gender Affairs Minister Olivia Grange urged the party to sack Buchanan as the human rights committee chairman.

“I can confirm that he turned in the resignation last night. He and I had a discussion and he told me he wanted to resign,” said Golding, declining to comment further, pointing to a statement on the matter from the PNP’s Women’s Movement yesterday.

In that statement, Buchanan was chided and his behaviour described as “going against the principles and values that our party upholds”.

“We are fully aware of the pressing gender inequality issue and normalised violence against women in our country. As we strive to build a society grounded in equality and social justice, the People’s National Party remains steadfast in its commitment to transforming the power dynamics between men and women. Our swift acceptance of Mr Buchanan’s resignation upon learning of the unfortunate incident demonstrates our consistent stance against all forms of abuse or violence towards women,” read the statement.

Buchanan’s comments were the latest in a series of events that have drawn concerns from the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), which in a statement yesterday called for respect and civility among the island’s leadership following recent displays of public vulgarity and disrespect.

“The PSOJ vehemently denounces this venomous and misogynistic attack against the DPP. Such demeaning statements directed at the individual tasked with leading our fight against criminals are wholly unacceptable and starkly contrary to all standards of civility and respect,” the organisation said.

“Consequently, the PSOJ calls for punitive and/or disciplinary measures against Mr Buchanan by the General Legal Council and the Jamaican Bar Association (JAMBAR). It is essential that the legal profession maintains the highest ethical standards, and actions that undermine the dignity of public office must not go unaddressed.”

Among the other issues the PSOJ addressed were recent statements by the Jamaica Police Federation’s chairman, Corporal Rohan James, against the Police High Command, “disgraceful” statements by PNP General Secretary Dayton Campbell, about Cabinet Minister Daryl Vaz, and the need to depoliticise the matter of constitutional amendments for the DPP and the attorney general.

Yesterday, attorney Neco Pagon explained that Buchanan’s utterances could be grounds for discipline with regard to breaches of professional conduct.

“It’s one thing to criticise your fellow colleague as well as the office of the DPP, but it is another thing to be so crass to the point where you are descending and bringing this sort of contempt towards the office. It is surprising, to say the least,” he charged.

Meanwhile, the immediate past president of JAMBAR, Alexander Williams, described Buchanan’s behaviour as “disgraceful”.

“Put aside being an attorney. As a gentleman who has respect for women in society, how could you possibly think what you said, much less say it privately or publicly? Never mind the fact that you are quoting a convicted criminal,” Williams said.

corey.robinson@gleanerjm.com