JFJ: Implement Armadale recommendations

Monique Grange, Assistant News Editor

The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre



Human rights lobby group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), is repeating calls for the government to implement the recommendations of the Armadale Commission of Enquiry.



The Enquiry was convened three years ago, following a fire at the Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre in St. Ann, which resulted in the death of seven girls.



The lobby group, which has been vocal about the issue of children’s rights is lamenting that the government has not implemented recommendations, such as conducting regular fire drills and providing adequate fire extinguishers to children’s’ homes.



JFJ Chairperson Susan Goffe said the government is displaying a lack of urgency in responding to the safety needs of children in the care of the state.



She said JFJ is also concerned that the findings of the Keating report which outlined measures to improve conditions at children’s homes has also not been implemented.



That report was completed eight years ago.



Goffe said the government has also failed to adhere to the urgings of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, that Jamaica to seek international support in order to fully implement all the recommendations in the Keating report.



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