By CARICOM
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“We also expect that these acts – using the tools of trade of the criminals at large in our communities from The Bahamas to Suriname, Saint Lucia to Trinidad and Tobago – that they be deemed to be acts of terrorism and allow us to view them, not only the executive, but by our judiciary and allow us to fashion the appropriate legislation.”
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr. The Hon. Keith Rowley
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr. The Hon. Keith Rowley says CARICOM leaders deem the current surge of violent crime affecting Member States as “acts of terrorism.”
“We also expect that these acts – using the tools of trade of the criminals at large in our communities from The Bahamas to Suriname, Saint Lucia to Trinidad and Tobago – that they be deemed to be acts of terrorism and allow us to view them, not only the executive, but by our judiciary and allow us to fashion the appropriate legislation,” stated Dr. Rowley.
Addressing the media following the three-day 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government in Barbados, Prime Minister Rowley also revealed that leaders will continue to treat violence as a public health issue, noting the impact on communities and the public health system.
“So we adopted the working definition of crime and violence as a public health issue since the effect on human conditions is such that violent crime – largely carried out by firearms – 80% of the killings that we are experiencing are done by firearms – and 90% of those firearms are coming to us from one particular source. So we agree that this is a public health issue, and of course, we will continue to engage it as such,” said Dr. Rowley.
George-Bridge and Needham’s Point Declarations integral to crime fighting
The Prime Minister shared that the George-Bridge and Needham’s Point Declarations are fundamental to the leaders’ holistic approach to tackling crime. He reiterated that the George-Bridge Declaration was approved by leaders at the Second Regional Symposium: Violence as a Public Health Issue — The Crime Challenge in Guyana. He stated that they would continue to support the aims and recommendations of Needham’s Point Declaration. “These are all positions taken by CARICOM Heads, which should flow into actions through legislative and other arrangements,” emphasised Dr. Rowley.
Crime: One of the highest hurdles for CARICOM Leaders to overcome
While providing details of the strategic plan by leaders to tackle crime, Prime Minister Rowley admitted that crime continues to be a significant challenge for the body.
“So basically, these are the foundational things that we are doing at the level of the Heads – acknowledging that one of the highest hurdles that we are required to overcome and to treat with at this time is the high level of violent crime in our societies and the organised commercial arrangements of criminals who terrorise our populations, whether they are large ones or smaller ones in the community,” underscored Dr. Rowley.
However, leaders expect that the agreed decisions would make significant changes to the current state of crime in the Region.
