Dear Editor,
The appointment of the members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the JSC’s consequent reconstitution is a commendable step in the right direction, even though it is one that is long overdue. A functional JSC is an important component of the judicial arm of the government to execute justice and hold lawbreakers accountable. Swift and transparent justice is essential to realizing a safe society where children, women, and other vulnerable segments of our society can be free from harm and violence and develop their potential in safety.
We believe that the JSC must and will fulfill its functions to ensure that the requisite complement of magistrates and judges are in place to significantly increase the efficiency of the trial process and relieve the strain on the current complement of judges and magistrates. Specifically, we hope to see increased efficiency in the prosecution of sex offenders in the Sexual Offences Court. The current backlog of cases has resulted in many accused offenders currently freely traversing the streets and triggering trauma in many victims who have to pass their perpetrators in the streets. Children are frustrated with the slothful progression of their cases before the Courts.
More citizens need to recognize the connection between the roles of these commissions on the wellbeing of all citizens, particularly, the most vulnerable and add their voices to the need for the effective functioning of the Commissions. Commissions such as the JSC, are a safeguard that holds offenders accountable and gives victims some measure of confidence and assurance in the judicial process to report abuse. In recognizing this, all citizens should let their voices be heard in support of the swift reconstitution of the JSC when its tenure is up.
The reconstitution of the JSC is very timely, as it comes at a time when there are increased reports of child sexual abuse cases to the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA). From 2019 to 2021, there were more than 3,000 reports of child sexual abuse to the CPA and more than 470 of those reports were made by boys. It is evident that children, including boys, are reporting with more frequency. Consequently, systems must be in place to ensure that reports are translated into swift and decisive actions by the entire children protection system – of which the judiciary is a key stakeholder – that will hopefully send a clear message to perpetrators that our children are not to be harmed and that offenders will be held accountable.
We congratulate the newly appointed members, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, Justice of Appeal (Ret’d) Beasraj Singh Roy, Justice of Appeal (Ret’d) Carl Singh and Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Manniram Prashad and at the same time challenge them to ensure that the mandate of the commission is implemented impartially and in a timely manner. We remind each of the importance of their role to the vulnerable among us. We have every confidence that they will fulfill their mandate with dedication, enthusiasm, and fairness.
Sincerely,
CRA Members
Orchid Foundation
United Bricklayers
Youth with Purpose
ChildLinK
