BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – NEWS coming out of Guyana states that regional leaders have agreed to the establishment of a CARICOM Arrest Treaty, which they are hopeful would be implemented before the end of the year.
Wrapping-up their 37th Regular Meeting of Heads of Governments of the region in Guyana yesterday (Jul. 7), they believe that this initiative would greatly help to tackle the scourge of crime affecting member states.
According to CARICOM Chairman, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt, the governments have placed the Treaty as a priority and would be looking to have it implemented before the end of 2016.
“The Arrest Warrant Treaty would enhance law enforcement ability to address matters of cross–border crimes,” Skerritt pointed out.
He stated that “this we believe will enhance the security of our region and it is a matter which heads are fully in support of”.
Giving insights into how the Treaty works, he outlined that “ if someone from Dominica committed a crime and moved to St. Vincent, the authorities there would be able to have him arrested and repatriated to Dominica to face charges”.
Additionally, Skerritt explained that technical assistance and surveillance among regional authorities would be enhanced under the programme.
Currently, a number of territories in the region, including St. Kitts and Nevis, are faced with high crime rates.
So far for this year, the Federation has recorded 16 homicides and a large number of housebreaking and larceny.
For many years, it is believed that persons in the Federation have been able to leave the jurisdiction after committing criminal activities without facing trial.
PM Skerritt however lamented that there would be challenges to the system when it comes to individual territories.
“We understand that if a Surinamese comes into Jamaica and flea to Suriname, then he can be prosecuted for that crime in Jamaica in Suriname. But what we have asked legal advisors to do is to engage the Surinamese authorities to consult on provisions on the constitution for the treaty.”
The Meeting was held at the Guyana Pegasus from the 4-6 July.
