JAMAICA: GOV'T, OPPOSITION AGREE TO CONTINUE DEBATE ON DEATH PENALTY

the Jamaican Government and Opposition agreed on a formula allowing the historical debate on capital punishment to continue at Gordon House with full participation from both sides. This followed discussions generated by the position taken by the Opposition, seeking a specific undertaking from the Government in the event of a vote in favour of the death penalty and the inclusion of its amendment which would remove the Privy Council's five-year stricture on capital punishment. Prime Minister Bruce Golding informed the House that both sides held discussions and agreed on a compromise, which was based on the need to ascertain the will of the House prior to any debate on specific intent. "Before the extension of the five-year limit can be addressed, the determination will have to be made as to whether the will of the House is for the retention of the death penalty," Golding explained. "What is agreed, is that the debate will proceed with a clear commitment that in the event that a final vote is for the retention of capital punishment, we will support the position for an amendment to the constitution to facilitate the extension of the five-year period," he added.