Submitted by crinadmin on
On 20 October 2006, a report about issues facing children in the care of the Jamaican state in Children’s Homes was presented to the Inter American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in Washington, D.C. by Dr. Carolyn Gomes, Executive Director of Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ). The report describes problems found in the current monitoring system for Children’s Homes. Jamaicans for Justice is deeply concerned that two years after the Keating Report, in which a series of legislative reforms for children's homes were recommended, the Government has done little more than conduct an administrative review of the situation. The report warns that great improvement is urgently needed to better the lives of the children under the state’s care. JFJ believes that the main issue is to bring about real change and improvement in the quality of life for these children. The various problems that still plague these homes are manifestations of a more deeply rooted problem of negligence and disregard for the concerns of these children. It is imperative that the recommendations offered in this report are implemented for the main goal of securing a better future for the children of Jamaica. In June 2003, JFJ presented a report to IACHR detailing facts about child abuse in State care homes. This report became the basis for requests for precautionary measures, as well as the basis for future, follow-up reports. JFJ has conducted both on the ground investigations into the situation of children in State care, as well as analysis of monitoring reports. Between 2005-2006, JFJ evaluated monthly monitoring reports for Children’s Homes across the island. Further information