REMARKS

UNDP Resident Representative, Mrs. Denise E Antonio

Opening Ceremony, Witness Care Conference 2019

Faculty of Law, UWI Mona campus

Friday 19 July 2019

Acknowledgements

·       The Honourable Delroy Chuck, MP, Minister of Justice, represented by Mr Hugh Faulkner, executive director, Legal Aid

·       The Honourable Mr. Justice Bryan Sykes, Chief Justice

·       Her Excellency Laurie Peters, Canadian High Commissioner

·       Her Excellency Malgorzata WASILEWSKA, Head of Delegation of the European Union

·       The Honourable Mrs Justice Zaila McCalla, Former Chief Justice

·       The Honourable Mrs Justice Vinette Graham Allen, Puisne Judge

·       The Honourable Justice Douglas Campbell, Supernumerary Judge-Canada

·       Mrs. Sancia Bennett Templer – Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Justice

·       Mr Dunstan Bryan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health

·       Ms. Paula Llewelyn - Director of Public Prosecutions

·       Mr Ozan Sevimli - Resident Representative of the World Bank Country Office

·       Mrs. Donna Parchment-Brown – Political Ombudsman

·       Mrs Diahann Gordon Harrison – Children’s Advocate

·       Mrs. Rosalee Gage-Grey – Chief Executive Officer – Child Protection and Family Services Agency

·       Mrs. Tricia Cameron Anglin – Principal Executive Officer (Ag), Court Management Services

·       Other members of the judiciary

·       Distinguished representatives of the public sector and civil society

·       Representatives of the media

·       Other distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to be here at this auspicious, timely and important event.

Jamaica’s vision is for a secure, cohesive and just society aligned to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.  This hinges on a strong, fair and accessible justice system where everyone can reach their fullest potential.  An efficient justice system empowers a society to be its best and to achieve its development goals and aspirations. With people centred development at the heart of our work, it is UNDP’s distinct honour to convene Jamaica’s first Witness Care Conference in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and Global Affairs Canada. This Conference reflects the primacy the Government of Jamaica’s places on   advancing an inclusive, client centred, participatory and effective justice sector.

Witnesses are an integral part of the court system and should be able to exercise their full participation in civil and criminal matters. The holistic method employed by this inaugural conference is commendable and represents a trailblazing approach to witness care, protection and welfare. Being a key activity under the Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation (JUST) Project, implemented by UNDP and the Government of Jamaica and funded by Global Affairs Canada, the Witness Care Conference also brings together an august and diverse body of expertise, enabling the sharing of innovative ideas, knowledge, lessons learnt and best practices which should engender solutions that will strengthen the participation of witnesses that is fundamental to the successful conclusion of cases. The diverse thematic areas including an Enabling Environment for Witness Safety & Security; Logistics, Resources & Policy Support; Designing Multi-Agency Customer Care Systems; Psycho-Social Interventions & Services to Witnesses; and Children & Especially Vulnerable Witnesses should stimulate open, frank and rich discussions.

A well-functioning justice sector is a precondition to spur economic growth and UNDP reaffirms its commitment to partner with the Government of Jamaica, GAC and other stakeholders to continue to support the country in advancing its justice reform priorities. Equal access to justice by every citizen is tantamount to human development, guaranteeing that everyone benefits from development gains and ensuring that no one is left behind.  UNDP is delighted to be a part of this Conference as together we strive for a world class justice sector that will contribute to Jamaica being the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business.

I wish us all a successful, engaging, informative and productive Conference.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you.