Good morning, Miss Powell and all those in attendance. The theme I have chosen for my
portfolio is ‘Violence’ and the topic chosen is ‘Are States of Emergencies effective?’ which e
I find
d it to be a very interesting and controversial issue.
I selected this theme and topic because I realised in recent years how frequent States of
Emergencies were being implemented to curb crime. Another reason I chose this topic was
because of the public outrage when these emergency powers are declared and the reports of
human right violations which have occurred during States of Emergencies.
Jamaica has a history of proclaiming states of emergency in response to a wide range of
issues, including crime and violence. While these drastic measures are put in place to restore
order and security, their usage has sparked debate. Opponents argue that State of Emergency
declarations have resulted in human rights violations and are only a temporary solution, while
advocates maintain that they are vital to solving the country's ongoing crime and violence
problem. Jamaica has seen a considerable rise in crime and violence in recent years,
prompting the declaration of many States of Emergency. In this presentation, I will be
examining the effectiveness of States of Emergencies in Jamaica.
.
For my topic, “Are States of Emergencies effective? “I obtained two articles to aid with my
research.. My first article is titled “article "Jamaica and States of Emergencies: Exceptional
Authority for Marginal Results,". It was written by Jermaine Young an assistant professor at
Howard University.. The article was published on TheGlobalAmericans on 2nd
December,2022 which makes the information very reliable as TheGlobalAmericans only
publishes authentic and well put together research. In the article Young addresses Jamaica's
usage of States of Emergency to combat crime and violence. Despite the government
declaring multiple states of emergency, crime and violence remain rampant throughout the
country, and claims of human rights violations have emerged. Young contends that while
states of emergency provide temporary relief, they are not a long-term solution to the
country's security challenges. Instead, the Jamaican government should address the
underlying causes of crime, such as poverty and inequality, and implement a more
comprehensive and long-term strategy to curb these issues.
Since 2015, the publisher of the article "The Global Americans" has provided in-depth
analysis and expert commentary on political, economic, and social issues in Latin America
and the Caribbean. It has won several awards and is well-known for its dedication to
objectivity and authenticity. The author, Jermaine Young, holds a PhD in political science
from Florida International University. He now works as an Assistant Professor at Howard
University, where he teaches and conducts research on emergency powers and criminal
justice in colonial and postcolonial Jamaica. Young's paper is a well-researched and
analytical study that includes current content and references a range of sources, including
academic studies and international organization reports. The incorporation of facts, figures,
and historical context increases the piece's objectivity. Despite relying on his own expertise,
the author provides several perspectives, making the article well rounded and objective.
My second article titled "Gov't Contemplating Another State of Public Emergency", with no
distinct author it was published by the Jamaica Information Service on November 28, 2022
which makes the information reliable as the Jamaica Information Service is the country’s
official government news service. In the article they address the Jamaican government's
consideration of declaring another State of Public Emergency to address the country's
growing crime rates. According to the article, prior declarations of emergency had a major
impact in reducing crime, including murder and shootings. The article was published at a
time when the government was considering declaring a state of emergency to offer a cautious
and balanced assessment of the government's approach to security, recognising both the
potential positive and negative aspects of utilizing states of emergency as a strategy to
combat crime.
The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) is the country's official government news service,
founded in 1958 to distribute news and information on the government's policies, projects,
and initiatives. The JIS is a reputable source of information about government actions in
Jamaica, and its stories are frequently based on official comments and statistics. While the
author's identity and background are not clearly stated in the piece, it incorporates
information from a variety of sources, including the Prime Minister of Jamaica, international
organizations, and local news outlets. The use of direct quotes and statistics adds credibility
to the article's claims. While the page largely reflects the government's perspective, it
contains valuable information for readers to understand the current situation in Jamaica.
I encountered several difficulties when preparing my oral presentation. One such difficulty
was a lack of access to study materials and resources such as books, journals, and a stable
internet connection. Furthermore, the boarding school setting presented several distractions,
such as noise from other students and limited study rooms. States of Emergency are often
implemented as a quick fix solution to crime and violence, but don’t provide a long-term
solution Therefore, States of Emergency are not effective and should not be relied on as the
only solution.