Jalil Dabdoub | A crisis of conscience

The rule of law and human rights form the cornerstone of democratic governance. In Jamaica, persistent extrajudicial killings and the growing culture of impunity pose a serious threat to these democratic principles. We hold no briefs for criminals – criminal acts are abhorrent, but the Government’s tolerance of extrajudicial actions undermines the foundation of accountability.

At the same time, Jamaica’s silence – alongside much of the CARICOM – in response to war crimes in Gaza reveals a troubling moral inertia. Domestic impunity and foreign- policy silence reflect an erosion of democratic integrity and commitment to the rule of law and democracy.

Jamaica’s Constitution guarantees the right to life, liberty, and due process. Yet in recent years, concerns over police misconduct – especially extrajudicial killings – have grown. These killings often occur without transparency or independent investigation, fuelling mistrust between communities and law enforcement. Civil society groups like Jamaicans for Justice have long called for oversight, stressing that transparency and due process are the foundations of law and order, not a threat. These organisations must be respected, not vilified. They are essential to a functioning democracy. JFJ, and civil society organisations committed to human rights, must be respected, not vilified. They are part of the fabric of any functioning democracy.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s foreign policy has drawn criticism for its silence on the Palestinian liberation struggle. Since 2023, groups like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and B’Tselem have documented genocide, war crimes, mass civilian deaths, forced displacement, and systematic violations of international law by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank. Yet most CARICOM states have remained silent – offering neither condemnation nor diplomatic disengagement.

DISTURBING PATTERN

These domestic and international failures reflect a disturbing pattern: a retreat from democratic principles in favour of political expediency.

The persistence of extrajudicial killings reflects a breakdown in institutional accountability. Crime is a serious concern for Jamaicans, but solutions must remain within the boundaries of constitutional and international law. When the Government turns a blind eye – or worse, endorses unlawful violence – it erodes the rule of law and encourages a culture of impunity.

Statements by Prime Minister Andrew Holness such as his declaration that “criminals should be prepared to meet their maker,” reflect dangerous rhetoric. Rather than promoting lawful justice, such rhetoric legitimises violence and undermines the state’s responsibility to uphold due process. This shift has practical consequences: it emboldens extrajudicial actions by law enforcement and weakens institutional accountability.

CARICOM’s silence on Gaza is equally revealing. Investigations confirm mass civilian deaths, hospital bombings, and extrajudicial executions. Israeli officials have supported collective punishment, forced displacement, and committed acts of genocide and war crimes.

Despite this, Jamaica and most CARICOM nations have maintained diplomatic relations and failed to condemn these war crimes. Only Belize has taken decisive action by cutting ties with Israel. Silence in the face of genocide is not neutrality – it is complicity. Under international law, inaction amid war crimes amounts to passive endorsement, especially when accompanied by continued diplomatic relations.

CARICOM’s silence is especially painful given its history. Born from slavery, colonialism, and systemic injustice, the region must embody an unshakable commitment to human rights. To remain mute in the face of genocide is not just a diplomatic failure – it is a betrayal of its moral inheritance.

EQUALITY BEFORE LAW

Democracy emphasises equality before the law, accountability, and civil liberties as core principles. A democracy cannot thrive when power is exercised without legal restraint or moral direction. When state officials encourage violence or bypass due process, they undermine the very definition of the democratic governance they swore to uphold.

From the perspective of international law, Jamaica is a party to several treaties that obligate it to prevent, condemn, and avoid complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity. These include the Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Silence in the face of such crimes – particularly when committed by diplomatic allies – raises questions about the consistency and credibility of Jamaica’s leadership and its international commitments.

Moreover, moral and legal responsibility in foreign policy extends beyond one’s borders. A just foreign policy must involve taking a stand against grave injustice, particularly when it involves genocide and ethnic cleansing.

Some may argue that public safety in Jamaica necessitates a hardline stance and that diplomatic neutrality protects national interests. However, democratic governance is not about expediency – it is about the rule of law. Even in the face of crime or global complexity, states are expected to uphold legal standards and moral clarity. The endorsement or toleration of extrajudicial violence undermines long-term security and fuels instability.

Similarly, diplomatic concerns do not justify silence in the face of genocide and war crimes. True neutrality would involve both engagement and accountability – not passive complicity. Jamaica’s current position undermines its historical moral leadership in global affairs.

Before us stands stinking the moral carcass of the Jamaican Government and many CARICOM nations. That moral carcass demands not silence, but a reckoning – one that calls for clarity, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. At home, that means ending extrajudicial killings and fostering lawful, accountable policing. Abroad, it means speaking out against war crimes and genocide even when politically inconvenient.

Democracy is measured not by how a nation treats the innocent, but by how it upholds the rights of the guilty, the marginalized, and the voiceless. Jamaica cannot credibly claim democratic leadership while enabling impunity at home and ignoring genocide abroad. The choice is clear: either recommit to the principles of justice and the rule of law or continue down a path of moral and democratic decline.

The region’s silence cannot continue. The credibility of our democratic institutions – and our standing in the international community – requires moral clarity.

History is watching. Silence, in this case, is not golden and will not be forgiven.

Jalil S. Dabdoub is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.