The Police High Command has denied reports that blank detention orders are being presented before the Emergency Powers Review Tribunal.

That would mean people being detained under the State of Emergency wouldn’t even know why they were being detained.

Human Rights Activist have argued that this would mean that the Minister of Security would have dangerous powers to take away the rights of people and have them locked up without those persons even having the basis on which their attorneys would know the allegations against them.

The Gleaner newspaper today (July 12) made the claim about blank detention order.

The story says the orders are being issued without any particulars to justify detention.

But the police are now saying there is no truth in the Gleaner story. In a release issued this afternoon, the police states that detention orders can only be issued by the Minister of National Security. 

They say this follows a request and justification for detention by the Jamaica Constabulary Force to the Minister.

Director of Communication at the JCF Karl Angel says these detention orders are not issued in isolation but they form part of several other related documents that are served on each detainee.

He adds that in the initial 24 hours of detention, each detainee is served with a written notice advising him/her of the reason/s for the detention.

The release went on to say that in the event that there is a need to keep the detainee beyond the initial 24-hour period, then the detention is extended for an additional five days.

Another written notice is then given to the detainee advising him of this.

If after the additional five days have been granted, there is a need to keep the detainee for a longer period, a request is made to the Minister of National Security for his authority to detain the person for a longer period.

Once the Minister issues a Detention Order, it is served on the detainee along with other documents advising him/her that the period of detention has been extended for a further period.

According to the police, in all cases, a detainee reserves the right to hand these documents to his or her lawyer.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Group Jamaican’s for Justice is calling for the Emergency Powers Review hearings not to be held in camera, or behind closed doors. 

Executive Director of the JFJ Dr. Carolyn Gomes says openness and transparency are needed to settle the conflicting reports arising from the hearings of the tribunal.

At least one lawyer has maintained that the police have submitted blank detention orders to the tribunal.

Today (July 12) the Police High Command denied this.

Dr. Gomes says several questioned have arisen from the allegations.

Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine are under a State of Emergency, which gives the security forces sweeping powers.

The allegations about blank forms would suggest that those powers are being abused.