Opposition leader, Portia Simpson Miller yesterday urged Prime Minister Bruce Golding to establish a civilian oversight committee to monitor the State of Piublic Emergency, at the same time offering her support.

In a letter to Golding, she said that the People's National Party (PNP) had taken note of the declaration of a State of Public Emergency in Kingston and St Andrew, but noted the party's alarm "that no curfew was imposed in any of those areas while breaches of the public order were allowed to escalate". This took place in certain communities with targeted criminal groups taking the attack to the security forces.

"We note also that powers that are exercisable under a state of pubic emergency are extremely wide and therefore it is of the utmost importance that the public be advised as to the regulations that are intended to be promulgated. It would be of public interest as to whether the full range of those powers is to be employed and whether, for example, media communication and freedom of speech are to be affected.

"I would urge that a civilian oversight mechanism be established to monitor the application of the emergency powers by the security forces. Should you accept this suggestion I stand ready to consult with you regarding any other proposal and the composition of the oversight body.

"I would urge that the State of Public Emergency be rescinded once the immediate threat to public security has been removed."