Jamaica - 54.20
89
Not the Rastafarian paradise from the brochures
Jamaica continues to struggle with poor human rights. Crime is rampant across Jamaica’s major cities. In response, Jamaica’s police have near absolute impunity. Arbitrary searches are common and the government refuses to investigate police killings. More than half the country is consistently under a state of emergency. Additionally, Jamaica is racked by corruption. While it does not exist on an endemic level in Jamaica, corruption is still prevalent to the extent that it poses a significant obstacle to development. This is evidenced by the chronic slow growth experienced by the Jamaican economy, which has not seen a period of significant growth since 1993. That is not to discount Jamaica’s accomplishments, however. Jamaica maintains a relatively strong democracy, and it is home to a wide berth of free expression. While Jamaica has the potential for growth, it lacks a number of key foundations and its trend of slow development seems unlikely to turn around any time soon.
Human Rights - 34
Jamaica has functionally abolished the death penalty; the last execution was carried out in 1988. The government refuses to investigate police killings. Reports of killings by the Jamaican Constabulary Force (JCF) and Jamaican Defense Force (JDF) totaled eighty-seven, justifiable or otherwise. The government refused to conduct a proper investigation into any of these killings. The law prohibits torture but does not define it. There are several allegations of cruel and degrading treatment of prisoners. The government has restricted access to medical treatment as a punishment for prisoners and detainees. Prison conditions are horrible. The Tower Street Maximum Security Prison was at 200% capacity throughout 2020. Prisons lacked adequate medical and sanitation facilities as well as adequate lighting or sanitation. Police regularly disregarded “reasonable suspicion” provisions prohibiting arbitrary arrest; criminal cases involving arbitrary arrest were not thrown out in court. The government allows the JCF and JDF to declare a state of emergency which allows them to conduct searches without a warrant. A state of emergency can be called to reduce crime and more than half the country is usually under a state of emergency. Police are sometimes accused of conducting searches without a warrant or reasonable suspicion even in areas not under a state of emergency. Detainees are often held for long periods of time without charge or in pretrial detention. Homosexuality is punishable by up to ten years of hard labor in Jamaica. Additionally, the government tolerates vigilante beatings, torture, and lynchings of LGBT people. Abortion is absolutely illegal.
Democracy - 72
Jamaica is a Commonwealth democracy, limiting its score to 95. The governor-general is appointed by the Queen and the prime minister is appointed by the governor-general but is usually the leader of or a prominent figure in the majority coalition. The House of Representatives is directly elected while thirteen senators are appointed by the prime minister and eight by the opposition leader. Elections are free and fair. Jamaica is under a two-party system. The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and People’s National Party (PNP) dominate politics but party formation and participation are not restricted. Smaller parties control some towns and regional parliaments. Organized crime is known to intimidate voters in areas under their control. Criminals have been known to bribe and intimidate politicians into their control. Some neighborhoods in Kingston are controlled by gangs, and voters are often intimidated by these gangs. LGBT are disenfranchised.
Freedom - 82
All Jamaican laws have very wide provisions. The JCF and JDF are allowed to declare a state of emergency for virtually any reason and “reasonable suspicion” is often disregarded by police conducting searches. A data-protection bill could allow journalists to be searched and investigated for virtually any reason. All people are subject to arbitrary searches by the authorities. Journalists covering organized crime often face intimidation. Trade unionists are frequently harassed. All drugs except marijuana are illegal in Jamaica but enforcement of drug laws is seemingly random. Marijuana consumption is illegal in public. Jamaican gun laws are ambiguous but illegal guns are easy to obtain. Criminals in Jamaica have ready access to illegal firearms and Jamaica has the second most extensive firearm black market in the Caribbean after Haiti.
Economy - 53
Health - 63
Jamaica has a life expectancy of 75 years and an infant mortality rate of 1.2%. 24.7% of Jamaicans are obese and 2.08% are malnourished. Jamaica’s universal healthcare system provides solid-quality care, though it is plagued by long lines, and the majority of good doctors are concentrated in Kingston. 80% of Jamaicans have access to sanitation in their homes. 93% of Jamaicans have access to clean drinking water.
Corruption - 28
Medical appointments are often difficult to obtain without bribery. This forces most Jamaicans to wait in long lines in healthcare facilities. Many politicians are suspected of having ties with organized crime. Criminals are known to bribe or intimidate politicians into their control. Tax money is embezzled at most levels of government. Police extortion is common. Public services must be bribed into action.
Competency - 45
The government is failing to protect people from organized crime. The government is failing to control corruption, which has ingrained itself in the healthcare system.
Future - 45
The Jamaican economy has been growing slowly and took a major hit due to COVID. It is unclear when the economy will recover, as the Jamaican economy has been suffering from chronic slow growth. Jamaica’s tourism industry is struggling but may make a recovery after COVID. The crime rate remains very high in Jamaica.
Actions Abroad - 70
Jamaica is a Commonwealth realm and generally maintains good relations with other Commonwealth nations. Jamaica is an active participant in most Pan-Caribbean organizations. Jamaica is generally regarded as neutral, friendly, and an active member. Jamaica is a member of the Belt and Road Initiative. Jamaica maintains close relations with the United Kingdom, from which it receives large amounts of foreign aid. Jamaica maintains close relations with and receives large amounts of foreign aid from the United States.
1.7% of Jamaicans live below the international poverty line and 19.3% live below the national poverty line. 7.72% of Jamaicans are unemployed. Jamaica has a high economic disparity. The minimum wage in Jamaica is $35.74 per week. Jamaica has a decent universal healthcare system. Healthcare is provided free to all Jamaicans but the healthcare system is racked by long lines and appointments are granted through bribery. Healthcare is of solid quality throughout the country but the best doctors are all in Kingston. The Jamaican economy shrunk 10.2% in 2020 and grew 0.9% in 2019.