Displacement of families is concerning

THE EDITOR, Madam:

This is an open letter to the prime minister of Jamaica.

Dear Dr Holness:

I am writing to you as a Jamaican citizen deeply concerned about what is happening to families and communities, particularly in areas where people have lived and built their homes and communities for generations.

Our people have a long and painful history connected to the land. Our ancestors endured slavery, forced labour, violence, separation from their families, and the loss of their freedom. After Emancipation, many Jamaican families struggled to secure land and establish stable communities of their own.

Today, I am deeply concerned that some of these same communities are once again facing displacement. Families are being threatened with the loss of their homes and lands while development projects and tourism interests appear to be taking priority over the needs and stability of ordinary Jamaican citizens.

We have already seen communities in Jamaica affected by demolitions and displacement. People should not have to live in fear that the homes and communities they have spent generations building can simply be taken away for development.

In places such as Brighton and Crosby in Westmoreland, residents want to know what the future holds for their communities. We do not want to see our lands taken away for golf courses, hotels or other tourism developments, at the expense of established Jamaican families. We want stable communities where Jamaican people can continue to live, raise their families, and have a secure future.

Development should not mean the removal of Jamaican people from their communities.

I respectfully ask the government of Jamaica to listen to the concerns of affected residents, investigate the ownership and status of disputed lands, and ensure that families are not displaced without due process, consultation and proper consideration of their rights.

Jamaicans deserve to have a voice in what happens to the land on which they live. Our communities should not be treated as obstacles to development. They are part of Jamaica’s history, culture and future.

I am therefore asking you, as prime minister, to stand with Jamaican citizens and ensure that development in our country benefits the people of Jamaica rather than forcing families from their homes and disrupting generations-old communities.

We want development, but we want responsible development that includes Jamaican people and respects their homes, communities, history and rights.

I respectfully request your attention to this matter and would appreciate a response regarding the steps the government intends to take to protect affected communities and prevent unjust displacement.

CONCERNED CITIZEN

Westmoreland