PNP moves to silence JFJ and other Civil Society Groups !

Just a day after I noted on this blog a worrying trend under the title ” PNP Ministers on a frolic of their own with no leadership”, here comes along Raymond Pryce with a proposal, which while on the face of it may seem in keeping with what exist in other jurisdiction , is rooted in malice .

A week ago the Minister of Culture Lisa Hanna in a most unprofessional manner, blasted the JFJ for daring to be critical on the PNP government and accused the group of trying to “tear down” the PNP government and intellectual dishonesty. She did not stop there, she went unto note that she has forwarded information to the Attorney General for advice on how she (aka the Government) should proceed as it seeks to go on the offensive against any one who dares to be critical of this government.

This stems from a online petition crafted JFJ seeking to highlight the poor job the government has done as it relates to child care.

Now here comes along Raymond Pryce with a clandestine proposal, which does nothing more that to try and silence civil society groups like the JFJ for daring to be critical of the government of the day.

Here is what Raymond Pryce had to say.

“Many of these organisations – that are single-focus organisations, whether it is environment, justice, human rights – are always in an excellent position to be the advocate for their portfolio areas, and that keeps democracies robust,” Pryce told The Gleaner.

“But many times, they can receive funds in a subversive way that has hidden agendas, and many times those sources of funds come from agencies that are inimical to the way of life of the wider society.”

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130724/lead/lead9.html

 

What is in interesting is that there has been a proposal on the table now for close to ten years for POLITICAL PARTIES like the PNP to issue annual statements and state the source of their funding. Mr Raymond Pryce, how far along are we in ensuring that the relevant legislation are in place to make political parties public bodies and produce annual reports in keeping with what exist in other jurisdictions.

See Electoral Commission Report on 2010 below and note the following

Currently there is no requirement for political parties in Jamaica to be registered or for their financial arrangements to be regulated. Given the vital and important role that political parties play in the life of the country this oversight is no longer tenable. This Report to Parliament on Political Party Registration and Financing seeks to recommend appropriate legislation for the registration of political parties and for regulating their financing. The Report comes after extensive consultation over the last six years.

http://www.japarliament.gov.jm/attachments/512_Report%20to%20Parliament%20-%20Political%20Party%20Registration-%20July%202010.pdf

So Raymond Pryce would want us to believe that his actions are noble and he is just seeking to hold members of civil society to a higher standard.

Mr Pryce, commosenseja is not fooled by your deceptive and vindictive posture, which appears to be the modus operandi on the PNP in recent times.

The leader of the party had previously lashed out at the opposition leader calling him an ” enemy of the state” for doing what opposition parties are suppose to do. She did not stop there, she labelled other critics as ” detractors and under achievers” stating she does not listen to criticism and her husband filters the news for her.

Omar Davis told the OCG that his government will not accept impotence as an option as the OCG sought to ensure the rules governing the pre-contractual stages are adhered to.

Commonsenseja did indicate the trend  developing was worrying and I continue to maintain that position.  Too often we sit back and allow these folks to take away bits and pieces of our rights and before we know it, we would have lost our freedom to free speech, because our government believes its beyond criticism.

Commonsenseja will continue to highlight these issues for those who choose not to bury their heads in the sand and instead choose to face reality.

We must all shun Raymond Pryce and his youthful antics and ask him to wheel and come again. We should encourage him to bring a motion to parliament to make it law for political parties to become public bodies, issuing annual financial report and disclose all its donars.

Wheel and come again Mr Pryce !

Bless