APPLAUD THE JAMAICAN GOVERNMENT

 

The Jamaican government was elected by the people and accountable to the people of Jamaica. Hence, the government represents the wishes and desires of the people they govern. The system of government and the Constitution of the People concur with this understanding of governance.

To ensure that the will of the people remains primary, various institutions and systems are put in place. When a government fails to comply with the wishes of the people, they are replaced. At times people revolt, if appropriate institutions are not in place to hear their grievances. At times, when unsure of the people’s opinion, governments resort to referenda before proceeding with particular courses of action. In essence, the voice of the people is sacrosanct.

It is with that understanding the Jamaican government was asked to consider a request to accredit the spouse of an American diplomat. Earlier this year, the United States government wrote to the Jamaican government, seeking its approval for the same sex married partner of a diplomat, about to the posted to Jamaica. The request was for diplomatic immunity and all the privileges of a diplomat.

An approval of the request would also require Jamaica to recognize a same sex marriage, which is illegal in the country. Following some procedural wrangling, Jamaica refused to grant the request. The government believes that its primary responsibility is to the people who appointed them to govern. Both local and international professional studies confirm that more than 70% of Jamaicans disapprove of same sex marriages.

Rather than respect the decision of a democratic and independent country, the United States responded by rejecting a request from the Jamaican government to extend the stay of diplomats in Jamaica’s embassy and consulates in the United States. The US has served notice that Jamaican representatives must leave immediately, after their five-year diplomatic visa expires.

At present, it remains uncertain what further diplomatic measures, if any, the United States government might take against Jamaica as a consequence of the denial of diplomatic immunity to the spouse of one of its diplomats. The ongoing disagreement has the potential to strain relations between the two nations, raising concerns about the future of their diplomatic partnership.

One media source recently reported that the US Vice President skillfully avoided to meet with Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, when they both visited the Bahamas for a CARICOM Heads conference. Furthermore, it was reported that when Prime Minister Holness was travelling officially to Brussels, via Miami, he was not met by any officer from the US Secret Service, and as an in-transit passenger, suffered the indignity of having to remove his belt, shoes and other items of his ensemble, to clear metal detectors and security.

In an attempt to reduce the tension, many have suggested that the Jamaican government should comply with the request for diplomatic immunity from the American government. It is believed that failure to comply may result in economic hardships for the Jamaican people. In addition, succumbing to this colonial pressure would be to risk anarchy from the electorate. In this case, compliance would be tantamount to compromise.

I believe the government ought to be applauded for taking a principled position. As democratically elected leaders in an independent nation, the government is obligated to respect the opinion of the people they lead. The opinion is rooted in millennia of human history, natural law and religion – more specifically biblical theology. At times civil disobedience is necessary, this certainly is not one of those times.