Tatchell asks EU/UK to stop aid to Jamaica

Mr. Tatchell and others including JFLAG are barking up a wrong tree I feel this time with the John Terry matter, while emotions run high because of the gruesome murder I do not think that this one can be described as a hate crime. It is well known in certain circles that Mr. Terry was involved in homosexual activities at his home and the young man in question as new information unfolds is alleged to have been seen in his company on more than one occasions. I strongly suspect this is a "situational homo' crime where a downlow man has secret relations with an affluent gay man for gifts etc which is part of a larger problem that feeds the violent homophobic reactions to the yardie gaydom.

the Jamaica Observer writes:
BY KARYL WALKER Crime/Court Desk Co-ordinator walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com

THE Government has scoffed at a call from Peter Thatchell, founder of gay rights activist group Outrage for Britain and the European Union (EU) to stop sending aid to Jamaica unless the country's buggery laws are repealed.

"The Government does not expect this call by this advocate group to affect the excellent relationship between the EU and member countries which is based on mutual respect for their sovereignty and laws," Daryl Vaz, the minister with portfolio responsibility for information, told the Observer.

Buggery is punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 years under Jamaican law, but Thatchell would like the Caribbean country to take the law off the books, as well as institute tougher laws against homophobic attacks.

Thatchell's call followed the murder of British honorary consul John Terry, who was found dead at his Mount Carey, St James home earlier this month.

It is, however, suspected that Terry, who was said to be gay, was killed in a crime of passion by his lover.

"In the wake of the murder of the British honorary consul in Jamaica, in an apparent queer-bashing attack, is it time to make British and EU aid to Jamaica contingent on the Caribbean island's repeal of its anti-gay laws and its tougher action against homophobic violence," said Thatchell, who has constantly bashed Jamaica for keeping its buggery laws on the books.

Terry's nude body was found wrapped in a sheet. He appeared to have been beaten with a blunt object and an autopsy revealed that he was strangled.

Police said there was no sign of a break-in.

A note was found on Terry's body which was signed by 'A gay man'. Assistant Police Commissioner Les Green said last week that Terry's murder did not appear to be a homophobic attack.

Police statistics show that the majority of gays murdered in Jamaica have been victims of crimes of passion.

Green, meanwhile, has called on Jamaica's growing gay community to assist the police in nabbing their prime suspect.

"I am appealing to the homosexual community to provide us with information on the suspect. We need the information," Green said.

Police last week released a composite sketch of a man who Mount Carey residents said ran from Terry's house and asked for directions to the nearby resort city of Montego Bay.

The suspect, who is believed to be in his early 20s was described as being of slim build, brown complexion, and with a bleached face.

He was last seen wearing a brown shirt, brown pants, a brown cap with white on the peak and was carrying a black and grey knapsack.

Thatchell was, however, wary of Jamaica's perceived intolerance of homosexuals and accused the Government, police and health workers of aiding and abetting attacks against gays.

"It seems Jamaican police view all gays as criminals. They mostly refuse to protect them. Amnesty International confirms that gays and lesbians have been beaten, cut, burned, raped and shot on account of their sexuality," he claimed.