SOEs expire in Jamaica after opposition vote against its extension

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#Jamaica, November 30, 2022 – The States of Public Emergency (SOEs) which were announced by Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, on November 15 in several parishes across the country expired at midnight on Tuesday, November 29.

This was after two resolutions to extend the enhanced security measures until January 14, 2023, failed to get a two-thirds majority vote during a sitting of the Senate on Friday, November 25.

All thirteen Government Senators voted for the resolutions.  However, all eight Opposition Senators voted against the extension of the SOEs.

The resolutions, which were approved in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 22, needed one vote from an Opposition Senator to be approved.  The measures for the extension required a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament.

In the areas of the SOE, the security forces have the power to search, curtail operating hours of business, restrict access to places and detain persons without a warrant.

It also gives them the power to stop and question persons, seize property and control public gatherings and movements.

While the opposition is against renewing the state of emergency across Jamaica, Loop News revealed that Prime Minister Holness is contemplating declaring a new SOE under new circumstances and with new advice.

“It is certainly being contemplated by the Government to declare a new SOE under new circumstances and with new advice.  It is well within our constitution to do so.  We are watching the situation very carefully to see whether or not there are any adverse changes as a result of the (ongoing) SOE coming to an end,” Holness said while speaking with members of the security forces in Kingston on Monday, November 28.