Contributed
A livable space statement is an interpretation of the United Nations International Covenant on Social, Economic, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
Article 11(1), to which Jamaica and over 175 countries are signatories, is not embedded as one of our constitutional rights.
Reads as follows:
"The right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and family, including adequate food, clothing, and housing, and to continuous improvement of living conditions".
Squatting was created by the colonial British government. Be reminded that in 1838, the Emancipation papers made an estimated 450,000 slaves squatters.
What are we celebrating, Emancipation/Independence, and to do what? Celebrate the nearly 1.5 million squatters? (According to some "official" information, that figure has remained at 700,000 since the 1960s, which is ridiculous.)
Oh, perhaps to eat, sleep, procreate, defecate, whine, steal, and trash-talk. Non-black indentured labourers got land and money.
Well, Jews got a headstart under the Spanish 1494 colonizers from about 1530 onwards to the British 1655 to 1838 and beyond; thus, 16 of Jamaica's 21 wealthiest families are Jewish.
Any decent conscious leader, academic, or strategic thinker knows that squatting can be and must be eliminated for emancipation or independence to begin to have real meaning to the 98% of Jamaica's population, mainly black.
Constant excuses comparing USA homelessness and squatting (doesn't necessarily mean being homeless or without a fixed place of abode) cannot be eliminated, is a lame excuse to keep decorated slavery going.
Most squatters (without legal tenure to the property occupied) in Jamaica are not homeless, different from those who legally own a home.
Crown lands are already paid for by the colonial government. We should not wait for those lands to be retransfered to the descendants of slave owners under the guise of "INVESTMENTS".
Call the squatters elimination program REPARATIONS if that would be deemed more strategic, no problem. Let's break away from the traditional slave plantation psyche that squatter liberation is impossible.
It will be done no more squatting not from the "meet the judge or your maker" Prime stance.
The ICESCR article 11(1) must be the guide and also be "Mace-d" solidly in the Jamaican Constitution's rights and privileges for its citizenry.
Michael Spence
_____________________________
________________
Please add your comments at the bottom of the blog. Share this blog with all your friends and relatives.
It is best to view the blog on a computer or in web view on your phone.
________________
Bark Di Trute requests that you click on the advertiser's link on the page and also donate to the work of Bark Di Trute. It takes cash to care!
Subscribe Now!
Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.
You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.
_____________________
A necessary intervention! Start with developing communities with formal amenities, road, water etc. For areas already under informal settlement, target upgrades and or planned relocation. Just do it!
ReplyDeleteSo well articulated Mr. Vernon, pray those in authority read your articles and endeavor to make the change!
ReplyDeleteThe article has been sent to the PM and others.
Delete