27 Jan 06 JFLAG's response to DSP Mark Shield's statements concerning the police investigation in the murder of AIDS activist, Steve Harvey.

 JFLAG wishes to clarify that a hate crime is not restricted to situations where the perception of homosexuality is the only basis for an attack against a person. Hate crimes also include situations where the perception of homosexuality provides an additional or secondary factor in the criminal motivation.

A robber may not have any idea who his victim may be. But an “ordinary” act of robbery may develop into a hate crime, if the robber’s perception of the victim’s homosexuality provides an additional motivation for harm during the criminal enterprise.

JFLAG further contends that there is widespread institutional homophobia within the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The continued existence of the buggery law causes the police to treat all gay men as un-apprehended criminals. Complaints involving gay people, especially gay men, are either completely ignored or not investigated with sufficient rigor. JFLAG is aware of numerous instances where gay men opt not to report that they are victims of hate crimes, because they do not believe the police will act in their best interest.   

JFLAG welcomes any civilian oversight of police investigations of hate crimes against gay people, and encourages the authorities to strengthen  mechanisms to ensure that the lives of gay men are not snuffed out with impunity.