BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) and its tripartite partners have released “The Declaration on the Way Forward to Address Crime and Violence in the Federation”.
The CIC, along with the St. Kitts Christian Council and the St. Kitts Evangelical Association, have endorsed the Declaration, which expresses their condemnation at the recent upsurge in violent crime and urges public assistance in restoring peace and order to the Federation.
Recommendations contained within the document include placing an emphasis on parenting and life skills, assisting law enforcement agencies in their endeavours, creating a culture of corporate social responsibility and developing rehabilitation programmes for young offenders.
The Declaration was signed on April 2, 2009 as the culmination of a March and Rally in which representatives from the private sector, government and non-governmental organisations, and officials from the nation’s various political parties agreed to work together to combat crime and violence in the Federation. It is available on the CIC website www.stkittsnevischamber.org.
Additionally, a communiqué issued by the private sector body further informed that the organisation is working with its aforementioned partners to revisit setting ethical guidelines for political parties in the face of impending general elections. A Code of Conduct for the Political Process was signed in 1995 by the four major political parties; however, the mandate to renew the document at every subsequent election has not been met.
At a press conference in May, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas reiterated his support for a Code of Conduct but was mum as to why the obligation of the previous Code had not been fulfilled.
“A Code of Conduct is a very good idea. I am in full support of it. It is important that as the elections draw near, there is something that holds politicians accountable. I would have no problem signing onto such a document,” he noted.
Meanwhile, in the absence of a functioning Code, the Chamber has called on all leaders – civic, religious, political or governmental – to conduct themselves “with respect for self and others, to be responsible for their articulations on and off the platform, and to avoid immature, irresponsible and inflammatory comments”.
“The Chamber feels strongly that any rhetoric of politicians of any party which has connotations of or suggest violence or disorder as a way of resolving political disputes is unacceptable and must be avoided and would send a wrong message. To do otherwise would be to send a wrong message and set a bad example to impressionable young people whom parents/guardians, educators and civic leaders are trying to mould into productive, law-abiding and respectful citizens,” the release reads.
Over the past year the CIC has been addressing the crime issue. Other initiatives include a National Symposium on Crime in September, the submission of a 40-page recommendations document to the government and assuming a seat on the National Task Force on Crime.
