Mixed Feelings About ‘Dudus’ Extradition Request

By David Mullings

I have been speaking with a number of Jamaicans living in the USA to get their opinions on the now famous extradition request of Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, the reputed “don” for Tivoli Gardens. The opinions are mixed as expected but some of the reasons may surprise readers.

Some Jamaicans believe that the USA is fitting the usual “bully” image that it has had in the past and abusing its size in comparison to Jamaica. Most of these people argue that they have never heard of Jamaica extraditing a criminal from the USA to face charges in Jamaica. Of course, when one asks them to name one person that Jamaica has ever requested for extradition from the USA, there is silence.

Maybe the Government of Jamaica should do some more requesting, but then that of course would only add to the burdens of an already burdened justice system.

Other Jamaicans I spoke with agreed with the request because the Jamaican Government over decades have refused to truly tackle the crime problem in earnest because they get too many votes. They however lament the fact that the USA has refused to send people to the Hague for war crimes even though requests have been generated and even recently has not responded to the guilty verdict of 22 CIA agents for kidnapping a man from Italy. The Obama Administration actually went as far as to say it was disappointed in the verdicts.

These Jamaicans point out that the USA has zero moral standing when it comes to requesting criminals from other countries to be tried if the USA itself does not play by the same rules. Yet another case of “do as I say, not as I do”, which was expected to change under Barack Obama is what they say.

One person also used this CIA kidnapping as an example of what could very well happen in the Dudus case if the Jamaican authorities reject the application or take too long. They indicated that it would certainly be a better outcome for the Prime Minister since he would be able to save face on both sides.

Another person I spoke with believed that as long as the USA kept sending criminals back to Jamaica, even when they have been in the USA since they were 7 years old, obviously learning their criminal ways in the USA, Jamaica should not honour ANY extradition requests.

Finally there are those who see clear cut on either side; Honour the request otherwise risk not getting any IMF money and losing international standing or “mek de USA gweh” because ‘Dudus’ is helping poor Jamaicans and the place would “mash up” and “war would bruk out” if he is extradited.

As expected, Jamaicans in the USA do not always agree but the varied reasoning certainly gives much to think about.