Child advocate welcomes National Day of Mourning

Child advocate and founder of Hear the Children's Cry Betty Ann laine has commended Governor General Sir Patrick Allen for proclaiming tomorrow, June 23, as a National Day of Mourning for Jamaica's children who have been murdered or have been abused.

She said a proclamation like this is an important symbolism, as it sends a message of care and compassion to the nation. Blaine, however, asked for more from Sir Patrick.

"I would like to ask the GG, in his capacity, to be a part of the solution as it relates to children being murdered -- and specifically the case of Danielle Rowe -- that it not be swept under the carpet. It has been 15 years since Ananda Dean was murdered and beheaded, and no one is being charged. And it's not just her, as there are other child murders that have gone unresolved," Blaine said.

Eight-year-old Danielle died at the Bustamante Hospital for Children on Saturday, June 10, two days after she was abducted outside her school gates in Portmore, St Catherine. She was found along Roosevelt Avenue in St Andrew with her throat slashed .

Yesterday, Sir Patrick, at a proclamation ceremony at King's House in St Andrew, invited the nation to participate in a day of mourning for Jamaica's children and the violence that they encounter. He also asked persons to "pledge to do all that is necessary to abate this scourge on our nation".

"Although we have lost these precious children, we celebrate their lives and are thankful for the short years we were privileged to have [them]. The gravity of this current situation can be quite somber, yet there is immense hope. Our strength is not in the face of violence, but in the spirit of unity, compassion, and relentless determination," Sir Patrick added.

He gave an outline of the various ways in which each citizen can acknowledge and recognise the day.

"This national response may include devotional and/or remembrance services in homes, work places, churches and schools; vigils; moments of silence; the turning on of headlights; wearing of black; the tolling of church bells at noon; and any other appropriate response," he said.

As she prepares to participate in the day's activities, Blaine further stated that the proclamation coming from the country's de facto head of state is significant.

"It is important that it is also coming from the governor general, as it shows the nation that he is concerned about what is happening to the children of Jamaica. But we have to ask ourselves, how are we going to fix the problem? There are just too many names on that monument downtown," she said, referring to the 'Crying Child' monument in Kingston, which bears the names of children who died under tragic circumstances.

Blaine said Danielle's gruesome death provides an opportunity to not just talk, but to take action.

"I am concerned that we haven't heard the latest update from the police in a few days. I am concerned that her case may be another nine-day wonder, as is the case with other children who have been murdered in our country. We want periodic updates, and we want to know where are these killers," she said.