FOREIGN Affairs Minister Dr Kenneth Baugh has described as "harmful rather than helpful" reports done on Jamaica by foreign bodies.

"I have a difficulty with these reports when they get in front of the press... I find them excessive, inappropriate and overdone in terms of harmful statements that are made that can affect these countries," Dr Baugh told the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament examining the 2010/2011 Estimates of Expenditure last week.

Dr Baugh was responding to questions from Opposition spokesman on foreign affairs Anthony Hylton as to the strategies or measures that will be taken to address the impact on the reputation of Jamaicans home and abroad because of these reports.

Making specific reference to the recent International Narcotics Control Strategy Report in Jamaica issued by the US State Department, Baugh said the account was "not kind to us".

"We do have a difficulty when the reports are issued. This report in particular is hardly different from a previous report issued in your time," said Baugh in reference to Hylton's tenure in Government. "It is almost the same in terms of the format and the substance."

The report, issued early in March, among other things said drug arrests in Jamaica remained flat last year, and maintained that only "light, non-criminal penalties", are applied to persons found in possession of the drug ecstasy.

Prior to Baugh's statement, National Security Minister Senator Dwight Nelson had argued that "the statements in that report do not accurately represent the efforts being made by the security forces and the Jamaican authorities in the fight against international drug trafficking and organised crime".

Last week, Dr Baugh also said the report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment issued in February this year painted an untrue picture of the Jamaican situation.

In that report, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Manfred Nowak said the conditions in Jamaican lock-ups are inhumane and condemned the overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and cruel treatment of prisoners by warders in Jamaica's lock-ups, saying it reflects a total disregard for human dignity.

Speaking specifically to the recent prisoner uprising at the Horizon Remand Centre, Nowak, supported by Forensic Specialist Dr Derrick Pounder, pointed out that defenceless prisoners were severely beaten. He said many of the injuries appeared to be of a defensive nature, confirming an observation made by Public Defender Earl Witter.

But according to Baugh, the final report was miles away from what the rapporteur had said in prior meetings.

"Even his meetings with the United States Embassy in Jamaica gave a report that was more acceptable to us," said Baugh. "His final report when he had a press conference and the report issued abroad have taken it much further.

"As a matter of a fact, I find that the report is harmful rather than helpful because these reports are really excessive and do not acknowledge the kind of work we are doing nor the difficulties and challenges we face," Dr Baugh said.

The foreign affairs minister said such reports were more damaging since they had a likely effect on the opinions of investors and tourists who are contemplating coming to Jamaica.

"...We don't really have any control over them. What we have to do is respond when they issue these reports so they don't do the harm we anticipate they can do," he said.