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Crime in Jamaica

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Some areas of Jamaica, particularly cities such as Kingston, Montego Bay and Spanish Town, experience high levels of crime and violence.[1] Jamaica has had one of the highest murder rates in the world for many years, according to United Nations estimates.[2] Former Prime Minister P. J. Patterson described the situation as "a national challenge of unprecedented proportions".[3]

Murder rate

Jamaica gained independence in 1962, the murder rate was 3.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest in the world.[4] In 2005, Jamaica had 1,674 murders for a murder rate of 58 per 100,000 people.[5] That year, Jamaica had the highest murder rate in the world.[2] In November 2008, the Jamaican Parliament voted to retain the death penalty, which is performed by hanging.[6]

Jamaica recorded 1,680 murders in 2009.[7] In 2010, there were 1,428. In 2011, 1,125. 2012 saw 1,097; 2013 1,200. 2014 totaled 1,192; 2015 1,450 and 2016 1,350. 1,616 murders were reported in 2017.[8]

Year Total Murders
2009 1,680
2010 1,428
2011 1,125
2012 1,097
2013 1,200
2014 1,192
2015 1,450
2016 1,350
2017 1,616

Many of the murders in Jamaica are connected to organized crime in the country's urban centers involving the illegal drug trade, but there are also murders of tourists as well as LGBTQ people (see below).

Violence against homosexuals

Further information: LGBT rights in Jamaica

The U.S. Department of State reported that brutality with homosexuals, mainly by private citizens, was widespread in 2008.[9] Homosexuality per se is not illegal in Jamaica; however the Offenses Against the Person Act criminalizes buggery (anal sex) as well as "acts of gross indecency" between men. Many Jamaicans are hostile toward LGBT and intersex people, and several mob attacks against gay people have been reported.[10][11][12] International human rights groups, the local LGBT rights organization, Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG) and many Jamaicans have called on the government to take measures to protect LGBT people, including repealing the buggery law.[13][14][15]

See also

References

  1. ^ "North and Central America and Caribbean Jamaica". Travel advice by country. United Kingdom, Foreign & Commonwealth Office. 20 March 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2009.
  2. ^ a b "Nationmaster Crime Stats". .com. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  3. ^ "Washington Post Foreign Service". Nisat.org. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ http://www.focal.ca/en/publications/focalpoint/307-september-2010-don-robotham
  5. ^ "Crime, violence and development: trends, costs, and policy options in the Caribbean" (PDF). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. p. 37. Retrieved 26 December 2007.
  6. ^ "Jamaica votes for death penalty". BBC. 25 November 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
  7. ^ https://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/stories/2017/12/2017-12-22-bw-murders-in-jamaica-cl.html
  8. ^ http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/spiralling-murder-rate-must-be-number-one-priority-in-2018_124980?profile=1096
  9. ^ "2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, 2008 Human Rights Report: Jamaica". United States, Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. 25 February 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
  10. ^ . Lacey, Marc (24 February 2008). "Attacks Show Easygoing Jamaica Is Dire Place for Gays". New York Times. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
  11. ^ "Jamaica: Shield Gays from Mob Attacks". Human Rights Watch. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
  12. ^ "Document - Jamaica: Amnesty International condemns homophobic violence" (Press release). Amnesty International. 15 April 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
  13. ^ Padgett, Tim (12 May 2006). "The Most Homophobic Place on Earth?". Time Magazine. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  14. ^ Henry, Paul (2013-6-26) Court to Hear Motion Challenging Buggery Law Today. The Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 2013-6-26.
  15. ^ Blanket Anti-Buggery Law is Archaic (2013-7-3). The Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 2013-7-2.
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