Some Jamaicans living abroad are concerned about the contents of a letter that diaspora members addressed to Audrey Marks, Jamaica’s ambassador to the US, informing her of a planned nationwide demonstration. They think the message might damage the country’s image.
Several issues are raised in the undated letter, including, “the increasing state of public corruption; the high level of violent crime; the [Government’s] failure to provide promised service delivery; unfulfilled promises to the diaspora regarding its involvement in the political process; and the legal defense that diaspora members do not have standing to sue the Government”.
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The signature of Dr. Rupert Francis, the head of the Jamaica Diaspora Crime Intervention & Prevention task team, was placed above it.
As to the statement provided by the former captain of the Jamaica Defense Force, the letter was composed as a call to action by concerned Jamaicans residing in Jamaica and the diaspora.
In the letter, Francis wrote, he noted “ I wish to inform you, and by extension, the Jamaican Government, that the diaspora will engage Jamaica’s international partners to seek redress of our grievances. These international partners will include donor countries and organizations and Congressional/Parliamentary committees.”
He further stated that certain diaspora members will “lawfully and peacefully” stage protests outside Jamaican embassies, consulates, and other government buildings in the US, UK, and Canada. This is anticipated to attract the interest of foreign media.
Francis who resides in the United States remarked, “Regretfully, the Jamaican Government has forced the diaspora, its largest source of foreign exchange, to take these unprecedented actions in the best interest of Jamaica and its people – at home and abroad.”
On the other hand, other diaspora residents oppose the proposal, claiming that although certain concerns are legitimate, addressing them by public demonstrations and campaigning to prevent donations to the island is not the appropriate course of action.
The Global Jamaica Council’s elected representative for UK South, Nathaniel Peat, recently shared with the media that the letter, which has been widely circulated on social media, undermines efforts to draw in investments.
“The linkages which I’m creating in the diaspora right now around investment from Jamaican entrepreneurs, this will destroy all of that work,” Peat noted.
Peat continued, “I don’t agree with what Rupert has done. Why are you going to pull away support from Jamaica? That goes against the National Diaspora policy. And why right now when Jamaica is at its greatest need in terms of support for youth, education, prisoners?”.
Peat stated that foreign donors give the nation millions of cash, and any advocacy to take that money away would be detrimental to Jamaicans.
He said that the letter would harm Jamaica’s image at a time when it is in dire need of assistance.
He demanded that the letter be rescinded, pointing out that the Holness Administration’s outreach to the diaspora had produced hitherto unheard-of support.
“We recognize that there are issues of corruption. Of course, we recognize that there are issues of crime and violence. Of course, we recognize that there are issues with education. But this is where we have to build the country with our capacity as Jamaicans living overseas. To help with best practices and to invest in those start-up entrepreneurs,” noted Peat.
In an interview with the media, State Minister Alando Terrelonge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade stated that among the diaspora’s “unprecedented” degree of interaction with the Government over the past five years, many have expressed dismay at the contents of the letter.
The Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council and the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council, he claimed, were instrumental in enabling these interactions.
“Members of the council have expressed their disapproval of the use of the logo. They have expressed that they have not authorized the use of their logo in this manner, and certainly, they find it inappropriate,” said Terrelonge.
Terrelonge stated that the government has expanded the diaspora’s representation by adding thirty council members in the last two years, up from the previous eight.
The Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2020) estimates that 1.1 million Jamaicans are residing abroad, with women making up 57.5 percent of this population.
The minister referred to the diaspora as a strategic partner and stated that in order to increase its involvement, the government has held teleconferences and other meetings with members in other nations.
“Our mission is to engage the diaspora, connect with the diaspora, and empower the diaspora not only in terms of how they relate to Jamaica, but also in terms of empowering them in their own community,” He pointed to the support they had received from high commissioners and embassies.
According to him, the Ministry of Finance has issued exemptions and the government has also assisted a number of diaspora members’ visits to the island.
“So it certainly has been an engaging process over the last two years,” he said.
Nevertheless, Francis contended that the letter was overdue and that going ahead, the nation has to reform.
He said that the diaspora policy has not been “truly effective” over time and that there is insufficient contact with the diaspora.
“As a result of that, we have not seen the growth between diaspora issues and policies. It has just been in limbo. There is so much potential, apart from remittance,” he noted.
He said that the diaspora should be relied upon more since its people have had “tremendous” exposure to a variety of services and have developed skill sets that may help Jamaica improve.
He rejected theories that his motivations may be political, claiming that many people saw him as a member of the present Government.
“I used to be involved in politics in Jamaica for a while and for this Government in particular. So why would I be political about this now? We’re looking for betterment. We want to reduce the crime and violence. We want to reduce the corruption. We want to improve education. We want to get our monies’ worth out of our raw materials. We want to export more and import less. Young people need opportunities,” Francis remarked.
He concluded, “It’s to build Jamaica. I love Jamaica more than I love myself,” said Francis.
