MONTEGO BAY, St James — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has outlined that Jamaicans will be afforded the same treatment as visitors following a review by the security forces to relax movement under the state of public emergency.

“I follow public debate seriously. The state of emergency was called to create an environment that is safe and secure for everyone. For Jamaican citizens first and foremost, and for our guests who come here. So we wouldn’t want to, in any way, deprive locals of their ability to have fun whilst we give a privilege to another set. So, the security forces have been conscious of the need for equity and fairness in how we administer law. The law is across the board, so if there is going to be a relaxation, then it will be strategically done so that there will be equity,” the prime minister declared.

“So unless a community, by virtue of how they act, deprives themselves of that privilege, then the privilege goes across the board,” he added.

Holness was speaking on Saturday at Freeport Police Station in Montego Bay, following a marathon meeting with stakeholders at Iberostar Hotel, before setting out on a tour of communities.

“I am certain that at a later stage the joint command will probably make announcements as to what they see, based on the security environment, could be possible for relaxation,” Holness said.

Meanwhile, following his tour of Flanker and Salt Spring, the prime minister stated that he was satisfied that there were no reports from residents of excessive use of force by members of the state security forces under the state of public emergency.

“I am satisfied that the security forces are not acting arbitrarily in the use of their extraordinary powers. I am very heartened to see that they have been very meticulous, that they are following a process, and indeed where the law may not be detailed or clear, they have put in place their own processes to ensure that their actions are above board, can be reviewed, and that there is a system of accountability,” Holness stated.

The detainees who he visited did not, he said, complain of any brutality.

“I interacted and had a brief conversation with some of the detainees and I heard no one complain of physical abuse. And I think that in itself is a major step in how our security forces have discharged their duties and responsibilities,” the prime minister said.

He, however, noted that “clearly, I would not stand here to tell you that the accommodations are at the highest standard possible, but certainly they meet basic standards”.

“And the challenge with our resources and our budget would not necessarily allow us to have the best quality accommodation for persons who have been detained. But the Government is ensuring that we meet the basic standards,” he said.

“Many of the persons who have been detained have been processed and released, so we are not using detention as a wholesale tool of punishment. The detention is done where necessary and for strategic purposes,” Holness said.