http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/.../whats-state-emergency-things-you-should-know
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42757023
Prime Minister Andrew Holness this afternoon declared a state of public emergency for the parish of St James.
It’s in response to rampant criminality including murders and shooting in the parish.
Last year, St James recorded 335 murders, the highest ever total and since the start of the year, murders and shootings have continued.
Here are some facts you should know.
What is a State of Emergency?
Section 26 of the Constitution explains a "period of public emergency" as any period during which:
a. Jamaica is engaged in any war
b. There is in force a proclamation by the governor general declaring that a state of public emergency exists
c. There is in force a resolution of each House supported by the votes of a majority of all the members of that House declaring that democratic institutions in Jamaica are threatened by subversion.
When can it be declared?
1. When a state of war between Jamaica and a foreign state is imminent
2. As a result of the occurrence of any earthquake, hurricane, flood, fire, outbreak of pestilence, outbreak of infectious disease, or other calamity
3. When action has been taken or is immediately threatened by any person an such an extensive scale it could likely endanger the public safety or deprive the community, or any substantial portion of the community of supplies or services essential to life.
What does it mean?
1. Extraordinary powers have been given to the security forces
2. Some rights have been suspended.
3. Members of the security forces may search places without a warrant.
Duration
The proclamation shall remain in force for a period of one month unless extended by the House of Representatives or revoked.
History of State of Emergency in Jamaica
1. October 1966: State of Emergency in West Kingston - violence
2. June 1976: State of Public Emergency - violence
3. September 2004: State of Emergency - after Hurricane Ivan
4. May 2010: In advance of the attempt to arrest Christopher 'Dudus' Coke on an extradition warrant.
It’s in response to rampant criminality including murders and shooting in the parish.
Last year, St James recorded 335 murders, the highest ever total and since the start of the year, murders and shootings have continued.
Here are some facts you should know.
What is a State of Emergency?
Section 26 of the Constitution explains a "period of public emergency" as any period during which:
a. Jamaica is engaged in any war
b. There is in force a proclamation by the governor general declaring that a state of public emergency exists
c. There is in force a resolution of each House supported by the votes of a majority of all the members of that House declaring that democratic institutions in Jamaica are threatened by subversion.
When can it be declared?
1. When a state of war between Jamaica and a foreign state is imminent
2. As a result of the occurrence of any earthquake, hurricane, flood, fire, outbreak of pestilence, outbreak of infectious disease, or other calamity
3. When action has been taken or is immediately threatened by any person an such an extensive scale it could likely endanger the public safety or deprive the community, or any substantial portion of the community of supplies or services essential to life.
What does it mean?
1. Extraordinary powers have been given to the security forces
2. Some rights have been suspended.
3. Members of the security forces may search places without a warrant.
Duration
The proclamation shall remain in force for a period of one month unless extended by the House of Representatives or revoked.
History of State of Emergency in Jamaica
1. October 1966: State of Emergency in West Kingston - violence
2. June 1976: State of Public Emergency - violence
3. September 2004: State of Emergency - after Hurricane Ivan
4. May 2010: In advance of the attempt to arrest Christopher 'Dudus' Coke on an extradition warrant.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42757023
British tourists are being warned they should stay inside their resorts in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
The Jamaican government has declared a state of emergency in the St James parish, after a number of "shooting incidents".
The Foreign Office has told British tourists to stay in the confines of their hotels as a "major military operation" takes place.
About 200,000 British tourists visit Jamaica every year.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "[Tourists] should follow local advice including restrictions in selected areas, and exercise particular care if travelling at night.
"[They] should stay in their resorts and limit travel beyond their respective security perimeters."
On Thursday the country's prime minister, Andrew Holness, said the state of emergency was "necessary" in order to "restore public safety" in the St James area.
Chief of defence, Major General Rocky Meade, said forces were targeting gangs, with "particular focus on those that are responsible for murders, lotto scamming, trafficking of arms and guns, and extortion".
He added: "We ask that you co-operate with the troops."
Twitter post by @FCOtravel
https://twitter.com/FCOtravel/status/954091095100715008
FCO travel advice
✔@FCOtravel
#Jamaica State of Emergency declared in St James Parish which includes Montego Bay, in response to recent violence including shooting incidents. Follow local advice including restrictions in selected areas, exercise particular care if travelling at night. http://ow.ly/fu4A30hRMc5
3:40 PM - Jan 18, 2018
End of Twitter post by @FCOtravel
Simon Calder, the Independent newspaper's travel editor, said gang crime in the area had been "intensifying".
He told Radio 5 live: "Last year there were an average of six killings a week - and since the start of the year it has got even worse."
Jamaican newspaper the Gleaner reported that there were 335 murders in the St James parish in 2017.
It also estimated there had been 38 killings across the country in the first six days of 2018, compared with 23 over the same period last year.
As the UK Foreign Office has not warned against travel to Jamaica, Mr Calder said holiday firms have no obligation to offer customers alternative destinations.
He added: "I've never seen Foreign Office advice quite like this before. Normally the UK government says either 'it's OK' or 'don't go'."
The Jamaican government has declared a state of emergency in the St James parish, after a number of "shooting incidents".
The Foreign Office has told British tourists to stay in the confines of their hotels as a "major military operation" takes place.
About 200,000 British tourists visit Jamaica every year.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "[Tourists] should follow local advice including restrictions in selected areas, and exercise particular care if travelling at night.
"[They] should stay in their resorts and limit travel beyond their respective security perimeters."
On Thursday the country's prime minister, Andrew Holness, said the state of emergency was "necessary" in order to "restore public safety" in the St James area.
Chief of defence, Major General Rocky Meade, said forces were targeting gangs, with "particular focus on those that are responsible for murders, lotto scamming, trafficking of arms and guns, and extortion".
He added: "We ask that you co-operate with the troops."
Twitter post by @FCOtravel
https://twitter.com/FCOtravel/status/954091095100715008
FCO travel advice✔@FCOtravel
#Jamaica State of Emergency declared in St James Parish which includes Montego Bay, in response to recent violence including shooting incidents. Follow local advice including restrictions in selected areas, exercise particular care if travelling at night. http://ow.ly/fu4A30hRMc5
3:40 PM - Jan 18, 2018
End of Twitter post by @FCOtravel
Simon Calder, the Independent newspaper's travel editor, said gang crime in the area had been "intensifying".
He told Radio 5 live: "Last year there were an average of six killings a week - and since the start of the year it has got even worse."
Jamaican newspaper the Gleaner reported that there were 335 murders in the St James parish in 2017.
It also estimated there had been 38 killings across the country in the first six days of 2018, compared with 23 over the same period last year.
As the UK Foreign Office has not warned against travel to Jamaica, Mr Calder said holiday firms have no obligation to offer customers alternative destinations.
He added: "I've never seen Foreign Office advice quite like this before. Normally the UK government says either 'it's OK' or 'don't go'."
