Knowing Your Rights

The Campus Safety and Security Department makes it a top priority to maintain student safety and security on campus. As a Northern Caribbean University student, I have rights therefore I should not be harassed with any form of force when questions or statements directed towards me are ignored.

There are many ways in which campus security can approach students without infringing their rights by:

Respecting the student’s privacy. If a female is undergoing a search, allow a female security to search her personal items.

Do not demand or force students to recognize your presence if requests are ignored.

Always respect the right of a student that attends Northern Caribbean University.

When approaching a student, ensure that you approach with caution and when speaking, speak to students with respect and not with assertive or rude tones. 

Well folks, this is the end of my blog. Our journey together was well spent. I hope you enjoyed tuning in with Knowing your Rights as a Jamaican Citizen and every other session noted. Thank you for your support and 

REMEMBER!!!!!!! YOUR RIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT!

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! 

Welcome back my viewers, have you been keeping up with my updates? Well today we will discuss the expectations of police officers when approaching citizens or non - citizens. 

When approaching a citizen, police officers should identify themselves by way of  police identification card which shows his name, regulation number, rank and photo.  When approaching citizens, police should speak politely and address the individual with a neutral tone. When approaching citizens, officers are expected to enforce the law and follow through with their duty detail. 

What do citizens expect from a police officers?

Citizens expect police officers to have professional conduct. 

Citizens expect police officers to protect them.

Citizens expect police officers to enforce the law and solve their individual problems when reported. 

Welcome back to another session where you will be informed on what to do when approached by a police officer. 

Citizen: What do I do when being approached by a police officer?

Remain Calm

Maintain Composure

Show no hostility

Never run as it can make you seem suspicious or guilty even if you haven’t done anything or know why the police are approaching you.

Listen Keenly to everything you are told or  ordered to do.

When making an arrest, the officer identifies himself or herself to the individual and informs the person of the offence for which he or she is being arrested and charged. The officer then restrains and cautions the individual. An essential aspect of the arrest is the ‘caution’, which notifies the offender of his/her rights during the process, particularly the right to remain silent, as anything said will be taken down in writing and used as evidence in court.

Citizen:  What do I do if Questioned/ Arrested?

Clearly and respectfully ask the police officer  “Why am I being questioned/ arrested, Officer?”

“Officer, please let me explain: 

Why am I here? I’m not sure why I’m holding this… (cash/knife) Why I did not respond?         

Even if you feel that you have been wrongfully detained and the police officer does not show you the respect that is your right as a citizen, keep calm and continue to show restraint and self control; then make a complaint to the relevant authority.

Citizen: What do I do if I am being searched?

All searches of an individual’s person should be conducted with restraint, treating the body of the person being searched with due respect, and respecting their rights of privacy and their personal dignity. Women and girls must only be searched by a female officer. If none is available, a female member of the public may be asked to assist, with the suspect’s consent. Ask for a warrant, read thoroughly what they are searching for and where they are permitted to search Stay calm, be patient and if arrested ensure you have the right to an attorney and remain silent. 

References

Oas.Org, 2021, http://www.oas.org/juridico/spanish/jam_res26.pdf.

Welcome back to another update and today we will be discussing the responsibilities of citizens and the police. Being responsible means to be morally accountable.  As Jamaican citizens we have various responsibilities some of which include:

Being loyal to one’s country.

Obey the laws of the land.

Being a cooperative citizen with law enforcement agencies.

To pay his/her share of taxes that is levied for the good of the community .

Participating in elections by voting for a specific political party.

As citizens have responsibilities to uphold, so do the police officers. The Jamaica Constabulary Force has the responsibility Under the Constabulary Force Act 1935, Part 1, section (13): Duties and Powers of the Force.

The duties of the Police under this Act shall be to keep:

Watch by day and by night: this is why police officers don’t work from 9am to 5pm because if they aren’t on duty in the night who will there to serve and protect the country, Therefore it is the duty of the Police to watch by day and night (graveyard shift).

 To preserve the peace; this mean to maintain order and safety for us the public to enjoy.

 To detect crime: by through investigation to see who committed the crime, who maybe considered suspect and to find the concrete evidence if the matter is to be to brought before the court.

 Apprehend or summon before a Justice, persons found committing any offence or whom they may reasonably.

Members of the Police Force may arrest without warrant in certain cases, suspect of having committed any offence, or who may be charged with having committed any offence. 

 To serve and to execute all summonses, warrants, subpoenas, notices, and criminal processes issued from any Court of Criminal Justice or by any Justice in a criminal matter and to do and perform all the duties appertaining to the office of a Constable (The Constabulary Force Act, 1935, s.13).

To make arrest: based on a crime committed or any suspicious reason.

 To search property and person: where reasonable suspicion occur.

To control and direct traffic: as to avoid chaos.

Stay tuned for my next upload which will be how a citizen should behave when being approached by the police whether for arrest, search, seizure or detention, or simple questioning . Remember to like, share and comment!

References

National Library of Jamaica. (n.d). Civics- Rights and responsibility of citizens. https://nlj.gov.jm/civics/

Welcome back my humble readers, hope you are all doing well and today we will be covering the different Government Agencies that can help with the Breaches of Citizens Rights. According to the Jamaica Constitution, every citizen has rights. If a citizen’s right are breached, did you know that there are Government agencies that you can contact and receive help? Let’s talk about some of these organizations which include:

( The independent Commission of Investigations) Indecom is an organization that was established to protect the citizens from secure forces that abuse or breach that individual’s rights. The aim of Indecom  is to hold effective and independent investigation, promotes accountability, fosters respect for human rights and earn the confidences of citizens. Any individual that has a report to file or knows someone whose rights have been breached can contact Indecom. 

The Legal Aid Council  If a person or family member has been arrested and are unable to afford legal representation, legal aid council can assist you because it provides legal aid in criminal matters to persons of small or moderate means.

The Child Development Agency (CDA) is the Executive Agency of the Ministry of Health which has responsibility for providing a stable and nurturing living environment for children who are in need of care and protection. This agency was established in 2004 with the purpose to provide for the medical, educational, safety, welfare and developmental needs of children living in residential child care facilities.

Jamaicans for Justice is a non-profitable human rights and social justice organization whose mission is to engender fundamental change in Jamaica’s judicial, economic, social and political systems in order to improve the present and future lives of all Jamaicans. 

That’s all for today folks. Thanks for joining me with another update. Remember to like and comment as we pick up next time with the responsibilities of citizens and the police. Stay tuned !

References

“Jamaican for justice”. Jamaicans for justice retrieved from: https://jamaicansforjustice.org

“Indecom.org.jm”. The Independent Commission of Jamaica- INDECOM. Retrieved from: https://www.indecom.gov.jm

“Jis.gov.jm”. Children Protection and Family Agency- Jamaica’s Information service. Retrieved from https://jis.gov.jm/government/agencies/child-development-agency-cda/

How can Rights be breached? 

Human rights can be violated through Government Behavior and Structure, Armed Conflict, Economic Factors and Psychological Factors.

In Jamaica, rights can be breached mainly through Government behavior and Economic Factors. 

As Jamaica endures the outbreak of Covid - 19, our freedom of movement has been reduced because it is in the interest for public health that we stay quarantined and not be a threat to ourselves and others. Due to the outbreak, many individuals have been faced with difficulties because of their work schedule. In other cases, some individuals turn a blind eye to the precautions and breach the DRMA ( Disaster Risk Management Act) and are revoked their freedom rights and arrested. 

An example would be persons being held without bail or without charge for over twenty four hours. 

Remedies to Breaches of Rights

Our Prime Minister Andrew Holness implemented the curfew order system so persons were allowed movement between certain hours regardless of the pandemic. Mr. Holness also opened beaches, parks etc for a short amount of time but due to the uprising he temporarily closed each attraction for the public’s safety.

The remedy for the breach for the above example would be The Bail Act which allows persons the right to apply for and be granted bail unless they are a flight risk or any other situation.

Another remedy that can be used is to apply to the Supreme Court if your rights have been breached and seek redress seen as our rights are protected under the Jamaica Constitution.

Stay tuned!

Sources 

Ministry of Justice https://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/know-your-rights/MOJ-Star-Page-No1.pdf

Welcome back guys! I am here to inform our fellow NCU students of their rights.  NCU students did you know that you also have rights? As students did you know that you have the right to freedom of speech, the right to peaceful assembly and also freedom of expression?

Many persons maybe wondering what I mean by peaceful assembly. Peaceful assembly refers to a student having the right to interact with their peers and come together as a group and express their ideas. 

Northern Caribbean students also have the right to religion. Despite the university being a Seventh Day Adventist institution, persons of other religious background such as Muslims have the choice to refuse to attend chapel because it would be breaching their rights and their beliefs. 

Each student also has the right to participate in club activities, or any other resource that the university has to offer regardless of their beliefs as long as they are enrolled students in the institution.

Even though Northern Caribbean University is a private institution, the students who are enrolled there also have rights as constituted in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and the Student Handbook.

Welcome back guys! Now that we have established ‘Knowing your rights as a Jamaican citizen’. Do you remember which topic we will be discussing today? Yes, No or Maybe so? Let me refresh your minds. Today we will be highlighting The Rights of a Child in Jamaica. Did you know that even children have rights?

Every child has a right regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, wealth or birthplace and there is an act that provides protection and care for our children and that is known as the Child’s Care and Protection Act.

 According to the Child’s Care and Protection Act, a child is a person who is under the age of eighteen years. In Jamaica, the rights of a child can be clearly highlighted in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedom and the Child Care and Protection Act . 

Some rights of a child include:

Every child has the right to an education.

Every child has the right to good health care.

Every child has the right to standard living which helps with their physical and mental needs.

Every child has the right to privacy. The law should protect them from harm which may interrupt their way of living or their family life.

Every child has the right to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.

“There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace." - Kofi Annan

If you know of a child whom rights are being neglected 

Report it! Do not ignore a child who is screaming for help and waiting to be saved. 

Fight for the Rights of Our Children ! They are Our Future! 

Did you understand the Rights of a Child? Remember if we don’t stand up for our children and their rights we have failed another innocent soul. Stay tuned for our next discussion on the Rights of a Northern Caribbean University Student. Until next time! 

Sources

Welcome back guys ! A lot of you liked and also commented about your rights on my last post. 

So today lets get right into it by looking at who is a Jamaican citizen? A Jamaican citizen is a person who is entitled to the rights and privilege of Jamaica by virtue of birth, naturalization, marriage, decent or adoption. 

Now what are rights? Rights are legal entitlements inherited at birth until death but can be interfered with and or taken away under certain circumstances. 

As a Jamaican citizen, are you actually aware of your rights? Did you know that you are entitled to several rights under the Constitution of Jamaica? Some of which are: 

The Right to Life - An individual has the right to live and should not be killed by another person or any government agency.

Protection from arbitrary arrest - An individual must be properly notified and informed of the offence they have committed before they are arrested.

Respect for Private and Family life - An individual has the right to live his/her life privately without any intrusion from the government unless his/ her actions are perceived as a threat to themselves and others.  

Protection from Discrimination - This right protects citizens from biased treatment because of their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation etc. 

Protection of peaceful assembly - Individuals have the right to be protected from disturbance and harassment from others in their dwellings.

Freedom of Movement - Chapter III section 3 states that an individual has the right to move freely throughout Jamaica, the right to reside in any part of Jamaica and also the right to enter and leave Jamaica.

Now that we have established some of your rights; citizens also have responsibilities. Every citizen is required to:

Pay his/her share of taxes

Obey the laws of the land

Serve as a witness in the court if summoned 

Well viewers, that concludes today’s blog! Join me again next time to highlight the Rights of a Child. Remember to like and comment !

Sources