Communications sent

386. On 9 December 2005, the Special Representative together with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions sent an allegation letter concerning Lenford ‘Steve’ Harvey, Jamaica Aids Support for Life, an organization dedicated to preserving the dignity and rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS and providing education on related issues. According to the information received, on 30 November 2005, at approximately 1 am, at least four assailants forcibly entered the home of Mr Harvey. They reportedly tied him up, along with two other persons in the residence, and stole a number of possessions.  They then abducted Mr Harvey and took him away in his company car. His body was found in a rural area miles from his home with gunshot wounds in his back and head. Grave concern was expressed that the killing of Mr Harvey was related to his human rights work for Jamaica Aids Support for Life and his work for marginalized people and people living with HIV/AIDS in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Communications received

387. The Special representative regrets the absence of any official reply from the Government to her communication of 9 December 2005.

Observations

388. The Special Representative regrets that no response was received from the Government of Jamaica concerning the killing of Mr Harvey despite a request issued by her in the Communications Report of 2006. The Special Representative would urge the Government to provide substantive detailed information as to whether an investigation has been initiated into the death of Mr Harvey. The Special Representative would be interested in receiving a response from the Government of Jamaica as she has received information highlighting the dangers faced by human rights defenders working with lesbian, gay, transgendered and bisexual and HIV/AIDS issues in Jamaica.

link to full text of the Report:
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/4session/A-HRC-4-37-Add-1.pdf