Man fleeing mob jumps into the sea and drowns.
London – 6 January 2006
A young Jamaican man has died, allegedly after being hounded through the streets of Kingston by a homophobic mob who believed he was gay.
Nokia Cowen was chased into Kingston harbour. To escape his attackers, he jumped into the water. Unable to swim, he drowned.
This latest tragic news comes from the Jamaican gay rights movement, JFLAG. It is calling on the police to investigate Cowen’s death and for the government of Jamaica to speak out against homophobic violence (see JFLAG’s statement below).
Nokia’s death follows the murder of Jamaican gay AIDS activist, Steve Harvey, in November.
“We send our condolences to Nokia’s family and friends, and extend our solidarity to the heroes and heroines of JFLAG who are campaigning for gay human rights in conditions of great danger and adversity,” said Peter Tatchell of the London-based lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights group OutRage!
OutRage! has reiterated its call for tougher action by the Jamaican government and police against hate crimes. OutRage! is urging:
1) Comprehensive hate crimes laws to protect all Jamaicans, including women, LGBTs and people with HIV
2) Stronger enforcement of the existing laws against incitement to violence and murder, including incitements to assault and kill LGBTs
3) A ban on incitement to hatred against all vulnerable social groups, including women, the disabled, religious minorities, LGBTs and people with HIV
4) Police training in human rights issues, including challenging sexism and homophobia, and action to ensure police awareness of, and sensitivity to, women’s, LGBT and HIV issues
Death of Nokia Cowen – JFLAG statement
“JFLAG calls on the police to investigate the death of Nokia Cowen in downtown Kingston on 28 December 2005.
“Information reaching JFLAG suggest that he was chased by an angry mob because of a perception that he was gay. In an attempt to flee this mob, the young man jumped into the Kingston harbor and perished because he could not swim.
“JFLAG condemns the prevalence of incidents such as this and calls on the police to fully investigate the matter. Most importantly, we implore the highest members of government to clearly indicate that violence based on sexual orientation, both perceived and actual, is unacceptable in Jamaica .”
Further information:
JFLAG – JAMAICA FORUM FOR LESBIANS, ALLSEXUALS AND GAYS