Wednesday, 30 July 2025 | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm | Jamaica Pegasus Hotel 

 

• Salutations 
  Hon. Delroy Chuck, Minister of Justice
  Mrs. Grace-Ann Stewart McFarlane, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice 
  Mr. Shehryar Sarwar, Counsellor and Head of Development Cooperation, High Commission of Canada 
  Dr. Deborah Duperly-Pinks, Senior International Assistance Officer, Development Cooperation, High Commission of Canada 
  Mrs. Carolyn Reid-Cameron, Public Defender, Office of the Public Defender 
  Mrs. Dian Watson, Executive Director, Legal Aid Council, Ministry of Justice 
  Presenters & Panelists  
  Other specially invited guests 
  Members of the media 
  
   

Good morning.

It is a pleasure to join you for this significant occasion. 

Today, we affirm that our justice system must not only be inclusive, compassionate, and informed, but accord dignity and equity to all, regardless of perceived ability or economic standing.  

As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Jamaica confirmed its intention to facilitate persons with disabilities in “playing their effective role as direct and indirect participants, including as witnesses, in all legal proceedings”.  

Persons living with mental health challenges and intellectual disabilities face severe hurdles which typically deny them these rights and privileges.  For too long, they have faced systemic barriers, which have left them misunderstood, misrepresented and marginalised.    

At UNDP, we believe that leaving no one behind and building resilience are not abstract ideals but are central pillars that guide our development work across Jamaica. Through the Social Justice (SO-JUST) Project, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and with support from Global Affairs Canada, we are working to improve access to justice for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, the elderly, women, children and people living with mental health challenges. 

Whether through the development of accessible legal education materials, targeted training for justice sector professionals, or the integration of Jamaican Sign Language to improve communication with the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, our approach is rooted in ensuring that the justice system is responsive, people-centred and inclusive. 

Today’s training reflects the very heart of that work. Strengthening the ability of legal aid attorneys and frontline justice workers to engage meaningfully with mental health and intellectual disability issues ensures that those who may be deemed unfit to plead, or whose conditions affect their interactions with the law, are treated with dignity and fairness, not prejudice or neglect. 

This aligns with our commitment under the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG - which promotes good health and well-being, SDG 5 - focused on gender equality, and SDG 16 - which calls for peace, justice, and strong institutions. 

UNDP therefore welcomes this Training Workshop for Empanelled Attorneys representing mentally disordered defendants as a crucial input in safeguarding the rights of these persons and bolstering their access to justice. By building the capacity of Jamaica’s legal system to facilitate this vulnerable group, we are signalling a shift in culture that is compassionate, and people centred. The training is therefore not merely a professional development session; it is a bold and necessary move toward transformative justice.  

We commend the Ministry of Justice and, by extension, the Legal Aid Council for its foresight and dedication in organising this critical training. We also recognise the contribution of today’s expert presenters and panellists who continue to champion rights-based approaches within health, policing and the judiciary. 

We also acknowledge the broader network of stakeholders, public defenders, law enforcement officers, medical professionals and community advocates who work every day to create a justice system that does not punish vulnerability but protects it. 

To every attorney, officer and justice sector worker, your role is pivotal. Your openness to learning, your willingness to reflect, and your commitment to inclusive justice will help to shift mindsets, practices and outcomes. 

Let us move forward together, grounded in empathy, guided by knowledge, and united by the belief that justice is only meaningful when it is accessible to all, regardless of mental health status, disability, or social standing. 
May today’s session serve not only as a space for learning but as a launchpad for deeper, sustained impact within Jamaica’s justice system. 

Thank you.