By Alicia Chamely
“The protection of our children must be paramount.”
This was the statement from Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge, when questioned on his decision to limit the movement of Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel, real name Adidja Palmer.
Sturge was speaking at Thursday’s post-cabinet press briefing held at the Red House.
On Thursday morning news broke that Sturge, through an immigration order, denied Palmer from partaking in a morning radio interview, a midday television appearance and a press drop-in to be held on May 27.
Palmer was also blocked from a meet a greet, a visit to a school, a lunch with community leaders and an official meet and greet on May 28.
Asked whether he was concerned that there would be a backlash from other CARICOM nations, especially Jamaica, for limiting Palmer’s appearances, Sturge said, “We are not fearful of any backlash. Several of our neighbours have the same legislative provisions, which their respective ministers have exercised in some instances to refuse entry to Trinidadian artists.”
He added, “So, there is no backlash because it is a discussion that needs to be exercised in this instance, not only in the best interest of the country as a whole, but more particularly one has to have regard to the interest of children.”
Sturge said given some of the language and themes used in Palmer’s music, it was not in the best interest of the country to have Palmer interacting with the youth.
He said, “The protection of our children must be paramount.”
Sturge also cast doubt on Palmer’s claim that he had reformed since serving time in prison for the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
Sturge noted Palmer’s 2024 release was based on juror error, not because he was found innocent.
Currently the case has been remitted to the Jamaican Court of Appeal to see if there should be retrial.
Questioned as to whether this could be seen as an infringement on the constitutional right of expression, which covers visitors to the country, Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar said there must always be a balance of rights, no one right can outweigh another.
She said there needed to be a balance of rights between the individual and the community and in this case the minister felt the rights of individuals to express himself outweighed the rights of the community.
Persad-Bissessar said, “If you walk around our country today, yes express yourself, but not at the risk of our children.”
She added, regarding the freedom of expression and rights of one to express themselves, “It’s a balance, it’s not an absolute right, it’s not an absolute freedom.”
Palmer is expected to perform at the One Caribbean Music Festival later this month.
