On 27 April 2026, Jamaicans For Justice became aware of a recording depicting Jamaica’s Minister of National Security and Peace. In the recording, the Minister is heard stating that the Jamaica Defence Force should fire rounds in the heads of civil society so they can hear what the M16 buzz sounds like. This statement was apparently made during the Sectorl Debate in Jamaica held on 21 April 2026. This statement comes as a reaction to civil society’s call for the Jamaica Constabulary Force to wear body-worn cameras on deployment during special operations. On 27 April 2026, the country recorded 111 police killings during special operations where no body-worn cameras were worn. This is an issue of transparency and is a disabling environment in response to respect and protection of fundamental freedoms and state openness and responsiveness to civil society. This statement proves a clear disregard for the calls made by civil society.
