Gary Allen (left), managing director of RJR Communications Group, greets attorney-at-law R.N.A. Henriques, while Paolo Carozza (centre), chairman of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, looks on. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is warning Jamaicans not to expect a reduction in murders because of the recent decision by members of the House of Representatives to retain the death penalty.

Officials of the IACHR met with media heads at The Gleaner's North Street, central Kingston, offices yesterday and emerged with the clear warning that it will take more than the return of the death penalty to reduce violent crimes in Jamaica.

"Our experience with the death penalty shows two things - and this is not an assessment on Jamaica - but all of the studies that we are aware of and that we have taken into account show that the death penalty does not, in fact, have any measurable deterrent effect on serious crime," Paola Carozza, chairman of the IACHR told The Gleaner.

"The thing that does have a measurable deterrent effect is effectiveness in investigation and prosecution of crime," Carozza added.

Lack of accountability

He is urging the political directorate to ensure that investigation, prosecution and a speedy judicial process are in place to put the handcuffs on crime.

"It is impunity and the lack of accountability that contribute to serious crime, not the nature of the punishment," the IACHR chairman said.

The IACHR has long made it clear that it is opposed to the capital punishment, but Carozza yesterday accepted that there was nothing in the law to prevent Jamaica from carrying out the death penalty.

Last week, local parliamentarians voted 34 to 15 to retain the death penalty as the ultimate punishment for some crimes in Jamaica. They also voted 36 to 15 against abolishing the death penalty.

Officials of the IACHR are in the island for talks with members of the political directorate and civil society.

The island's libel laws and the death penalty are expected to top the agenda when the IACHR representatives meet with government officials.

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com