[What part of EU is Jamica in again?-ed]

The European Union has given a $24 million (320,000 euros) grant to a Jamaican human rights lobby group, known for its resistance to the government’s proposed reinstatement of capital punishment on the island.

The Independent Jamaican Council for Human Rights (IJCHR), which is based in the capital, Kingston, said the grant will be used to open a second office in Montego Bay and will also fund advocacy training.

A.J. Nicholson, the Justice Minister, said the EU’s backing of the lobby group confirmed the government’s suspicions that others were determined to stop the country from resuming hanging.

Although not surprised by the EU’s move, the minister insisted the government would still go ahead with the re-introducing the death penalty despite the resistance from national and international opposition.

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