Young Jamaica demands apology for state-sponsored political terrorism perpetrated by the PNP during the 1976 State of Emergency

Young Jamaica also demands apology for human rights violations

Young Jamaica calls on People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding to tell the Jamaican people sorry for the atrocities, brutality, and human rights violations which the then PNP administration used as a measure to inflict on the people of Jamaica, including their political opponents.

Historical records confirm that the Michael Manley-led PNP Government used the emergency powers as a tool for brutal political repression rather than just crime control. The State of Emergency (SOE) featured the PNP Government using sweeping detention powers to arrest and hold hundreds of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) members, organisers, and supporters without formal charges. Some lost their lives in custody, while others were subjected to cruel and brutal acts by agents of the State who were deployed by the PNP Government.

Prominent JLP political figures, including Pearnel Charles Snr. and Olivia Babsy Grange, and thousands of innocent civilians were detained in facilities at the “Red Fence” and “Wire Fence,” Up Park Camp.

The detainees were held in inhumane conditions, faced severe physical abuse, were crammed into overcrowded cells, and faced circumstances of inadequate food and water.

Young Jamaica is of the view that Golding should make peace with those who remain hurt by the wanton human rights violations and political victimisation pursued by the PNP Government by saying sorry for the referenced wrongs, which amounted to State-sponsored terror and intimidation against Jamaica Labour Party members, affiliates, and supporters.

The PNP President must pledge that never again will a PNP Government and its combolos in State agencies use emergency powers to forcibly evict thousands of residents from inner-city constituencies, such as what transpired in Trench Town months after the State of Emergency was declared in 1976.

The supporters of the JLP were forcibly evicted from their homes and replaced with PNP activists, including hooligans.

Young Jamaica is demanding that Golding pledge to the Jamaican people that never again will his Party perpetrate such wicked, vile, and unlawful acts against the Jamaican people.