CARICOM Strengthens Fight Against Gang Violence and Trafficking at 47th Conference of Heads of Government

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has embarked on a concerted effort to strengthen its fight against gang violence, firearms and drug smuggling, and human trafficking in the region. Over the past years, reports have shown where the trafficking of drugs and weapons has significantly contributed to crime and violence in the Caribbean. As a result, during CARICOM’s 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government, the issues dominated conversations among regional leaders. Yesterday, Incoming-Chairman, President of Grenada Dickon Mitchell, spoke about the discussions and possible solutions proposed by member states.

Dickon Mitchell, President of Grenada, Incoming Chairman, CARICOM: “There are a number of things coming out of it. One, the need to strengthen our legislative response to the issue of violence, crime, criminality, corruption, trafficking in firearms is certainly one of the emerging consensus as part of the discussion individual member states have. Over the last several months, perhaps the other half have been embarking upon strengthening legislation to deal with firearms possession, trafficking in firearms, the sentences associated with those and one of the things we discussed is taking a regional approach to a comprehensive review of all existing legislation that treats with firearms, the possession and trafficking of firearms, to see how we could find a more common platform and to ensure judicial consistency as well in the approach to sentencing in particular. That’s just one of the tools that we discussed and to ensure that we share best practices, share legislation and take a common approach to this issue. The issue of bail was also extensively discussed because the empirical data is clear that many of the most violent crimes, particularly those associated with firearms, are committed by persons who are known to the police, who are known to the law, and who oftentimes are on bail. So the approach, and I’m trying to ensure that we can develop a common approach as much as possible to minimizing the risk of persons who are on bail or committing multiple repeat offenses while on bail was something that also we looked at.”

Regional leaders also focused on the need to tackle the effects crime has on children, which is a relative topic in Belize as a minor was recently detained under the State of Emergency. Mitchel urged member states to implement progressive laws that will tackle the root causes of crime.

Dickon Mitchell, President of Grenada, Incoming Chairman, CARICOM: “The impact of crime and violence on young people and children, both as perpetrators and as victims and the need to have a response that is appropriate to this was also discussed. And the need for social and cultural interventions to de-risk and minimize our young people and particularly our young men getting involved with or being exposed to criminality was also something that was extensively discussed. And to that end, the heads agreed to have a follow-up meeting. The heads had previously held a meeting in Trinidad and Tobago addressing crime, criminality and violence as a public health issue. Prime Minister Mottely of Barbados has agreed to host a follow-up meeting before the end of the year in Barbados on this issue. We also will continue to strengthen and continue to use the regional institutions such as CARICOM IMPACS to help us address some of the issues posed by transnational crime. We are also going to seek to encourage members who have not yet ratified the Caribbean arrest warrant to do so. I will openly say that Grenada is one of the members that have not yet done so. St Lucia and Barbados, I think, have already done so. We’ll be encouraging all our members who have not signed to sign and those who need to have it ratified.”

CARICOM will meet in October to specifically discuss the issue of firearm smuggling in the region.