Jamaica Gleaner

Vulnerable groups’ access to justice services being increased

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THE GLOBAL Affairs Canada-funded Social Justice (SO-JUST) project will be partnering with civil society organisati­ons (CSOs) to develop interventi­ons tailored for increased access to justice services by vulnerable groups.

Focus is currently being placed on increasing access to justice services by the deaf and children in contact and conflict with the law.

The CSOs currently being engaged under the programme are Children First and Jamaica Associatio­n for the Deaf.

Speaking during Tuesday’s launching ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice Grace-Ann Stewart McFarlane said individual­s have for long faced barriers in accessing j ustice services for varying reasons.

She noted that these disparitie­s have promoted the emergence of social justice, a political and philosophi­cal ideology centred on fairness within society.

“This is essentiall­y the objectives of social justice, which [are] protecting individual rights, ensuring equal opportunit­ies, and upholding human rights [and] are precisely aligned with the ministry’s mandate. We are dedicated to establishi­ng an accessible, efficient and equitable system of justice for all in Jamaica and, of course, promoting respect for rights and freedoms, while fostering awareness for individual responsibi­lities and civil obligation­s,” Stewart McFarlane stated.

She expressed the ministry’s gratitude to Global Affairs Canada and the United Nations Developmen­t Programme (UNDP) for “collaborat­ing with us to expand access and develop a fairer justice system for all”.

The permanent secretary noted that globally, people with disabiliti­es face various forms of inequality, adding that the ministry has recognised their needs and taken action to alleviate some of the challenges they encounter.

Stewart McFarlane stated that through the Legal Aid Council, a justice fair was hosted for persons with disabiliti­es, which reached more than 200 individual­s.

“This event, in partnershi­p with Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabiliti­es, successful­ly addressed the needs of those requiring access to justice services. Furthermor­e, the council is training 20 lawyers and some ministry staff in Jamaican sign language, in collaborat­ion with the Jamaica Associatio­n for the Deaf,” she stated.

The permanent secretary further informed that the Child Diversion Branch has partnered with Children First to implement community initiative­s aimed at raising awareness and engagement with the programme among vulnerable communitie­s.

“The ministry has long recognised that it cannot achieve its mandate alone. Partnershi­ps with civil society groups, such as the Jamaica Associatio­n for the Deaf and Children First, have been invaluable and will continue to be so,” she stated.

Stewart McFarlane added that their expertise and community engagement complement the Government’s efforts in ensuring services reach those in need.

For her part, UNDP Programmes Specialist, Stacy-Ann TomlinsonK­nox, said t he organisati­on is proud to partner with the Ministry of Justice and Global Affairs Canada to deliver the Social Justice Project to “bring this idea to reality”.

“Built on four key tenets of social justice, the project seeks to enshrine equity, access, participat­ion and rights as the cornerston­e of a modernised justice system,” she stated.

Tomlinson-Knox noted that community-based groups have a key role in integratin­g social justice principles into systems of justice.

“Today, we welcome Children First and Jamaica Associatio­n for the Deaf as full-fledged partners in our national efforts to build awareness of community-based justice services, to improve the provision of legal informatio­n and services to persons with disabiliti­es and to increase awareness of programmes for children in conflict and contact [with the] law,” she said.

“We regard your engagement with this beneficiar­y group as a milestone in the SO-JUST Project, and UNDP is particular­ly pleased that their participat­ion in alternativ­e justice services and social justice initiative­s will be strengthen­ed,” Tomlinson-Knox added.

Meanwhile, counsellor and Head of Cooperatio­n, Jamaica/ Caribbean Regional Developmen­t, High Commission of Canada, Chris Da Silva, stated that Canada has supported alternativ­e justice services, empowering local communitie­s to resolve disputes and address legal issues more quickly through alternativ­e dispute resolution­s and legal education initiative­s.

“CSOs play a vital role in criminal and social justice. They raise awareness on key issues, advocate for policy change and, in many cases, deliver services. CSOs are often the bridge builders between government, communitie­s and other stakeholde­rs in bringing about inclusive change,” Da Silva stated.

“The Canada-funded SO-JUST Project is really pleased to celebrate the two CSO partners launching their projects – the Jamaica Associatio­n for the Deaf, who will be providing sign-language training and communicat­ing with legal-aid staff in the Ministry of Justice, and Children First, who will work with communitie­s to increase awareness of the services available to children in contact or in conflict with the law,” he added.

Implemente­d by the UNDP and funded by Global Affairs Canada, SO-JUST will champion the rights of all persons, ensuring the needs of both men and women are met as they engage with justice services.

The project will transform the services provided to victims of crime, children in court, persons in conflict, persons accused of a crime and those who seek justice, making these services easier for every Jamaican to understand and use.

The project will also work with both state and non-state partners, to ensure that all who need access to justice are equitably served.

 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D ?? Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Grace-Ann Stewart McFarlane (right), greets United Nations Developmen­t Programme Programmes Specialist, Stacey-Ann Tomlinson-Knox, during a Social Justice project event at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Tuesday. Looking on is Counsellor and Head of Cooperatio­n, Jamaica/Caribbean Regional Developmen­t, High Commission of Canada, Chris Da Silva.
CONTRIBUTE­D Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Grace-Ann Stewart McFarlane (right), greets United Nations Developmen­t Programme Programmes Specialist, Stacey-Ann Tomlinson-Knox, during a Social Justice project event at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Tuesday. Looking on is Counsellor and Head of Cooperatio­n, Jamaica/Caribbean Regional Developmen­t, High Commission of Canada, Chris Da Silva.

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