The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE MINISTRY of Foreign Affairs has completed its investigation into the detention of 11 Jamaican women who were suspected of solicitation and prostitution.

The findings will be presented in the House of Assembly on Monday, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell.

Mr Mitchell told The Tribune on Friday he has "got all the facts" from the Police Department and is in the process of compiling a report to be sent to the Foreign Affairs Minister in Jamaica.

His comments come a day after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Jamaica wrote to Mr Mitchell about their concerns that the Jamaican women "may have been unfairly profiled for arrest and were not afforded proper treatment while in detention".

Mr Mitchell said he has not received a statement from the Jamaican Ministry but said he spoke with the Minister (Arnold Nicholson) and gave him certain assurances.

"I didn't not get anything but I spoke to the Minister as he was leaving for Kenya and he asked me if I was aware of what happened," Mr Mitchell said.

"I told him I would investigate the matter and make them aware of my findings. I got all the facts as I understand them from the police side and I am now working to get it properly summarised. I will send Jamaica my findings and release the report in the House of Assembly on Monday."

On Wednesday, two local women’s rights groups urged Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade to launch a probe into the arrest and detainment of the Jamaican women amid allegations that the group was forced to urinate on the floor of the cell where they slept on cardboard boxes.

The groups believe the women were victims of “misconduct” by officers who allegedly discriminated against them based on their nationality. It is also alleged that the women were not allowed phone calls and were threatened while police held them for 36 hours.

The watchdog groups said the officers’ alleged behaviour must be investigated and condemned in the strongest manner by Commissioner Greenslade.

They are also requesting an urgent meeting with the Commissioner to discuss how he plans to eradicate what they say is the systemic practice of discrimination against vulnerable immigrant women within the police force.

According to police reports, the Selective Enforcement Team went to a nightclub on East Street near East West Highway around 2am on Saturday and arrested 11 women from Jamaica on suspicion of solicitation for prostitution and breach of the Immigration Act.

The women were released on Sunday evening without charges.