Jamaica rejects buggery law repeal, same-sex marriage

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding, says that the Government has rejected suggestions from United Nations member states to repeal current buggery legislations and legalise same-sex marriages.

In a statement to the Senate today on the United Nation’s recent periodic review of Jamaica’s human rights record, Senator Golding said that there were “recurring recommendations made by some member states that did not enjoy Jamaica’s support”.

He said that there were repeated calls by some UN member states for Jamaica to repeal the buggery law, as it is seen as discriminatory to the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgender (LGBT) Persons.

Coupled with this, he said, was the continued request by some of the member states to legalise same sex marriage and grant more rights to LGBT communities.

“I assured the Council that the Constitution of Jamaica guarantees basic human rights to all Jamaicans, and indicated further that, in order to create greater understanding of the concerns of the LGBT community, several initiatives have been put in place,” Golding said.

“I informed the Council that the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Diversity Policy aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination and inequitable treatment toward members of the public, and guides members of the police force in their professional dealings with persons of particular groups, including LGBT people,” he added.

The UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Jamaica’s human rights record was undertaken by its Human Rights Council (HRC) between May 4 and 15. The result of each review is reflected in an “outcome report” listing the recommendations the State will have to implement before the next review.

Balford Henry