BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — ATTORNEY General Garth Wilkin issued a stern warning to the public about the dangers of sharing harmful and harassing content on social media, following a series of attacks directed at Minister Marsha Henderson.
The online posts, which circulated widely on social media, contained serious accusations against the Parliamentary Representative. Wilkin emphasized that the content posed threats to the safety and security of both the minister and her child.
"I am upset because there are people in this country who feel that it is okay to attack other people under the guise of their electronic devices," Wilkin stated during a session of the National Assembly on Wednesday (Sept.18).
Rumors about the minister had spread via WhatsApp messages and TikTok videos across the Federation. However, many who shared the content did not attempt to verify the claims. Along with the circulation of these rumors came direct threats against Minister Henderson.
Wilkin criticized those who prioritize political party loyalty over human decency, stating, “They do not care about the lives of other people. They do not care about decency.”
The Justice Minister suggested that political operatives were behind the dissemination of the messages. "All they want to do is attack and win political points. They are nasty people and they must be condemned".
Wilkin also reminded the public of laws that make it a criminal offense to produce or forward communications, whether via electronic devices or otherwise, that harass, threaten, intimidate, or harm others. He stressed that this was part of a worrying trend in the Federation, where citizens and residents share messages and images that could endanger individuals.
He further highlighted that such actions are punishable under the law, potentially resulting in fines or imprisonment. “This is called unlawful communication," Wilkin explained. "I want the people of this country to know that if the culture of forwarding and sending around things that could cause harm to other people is not stopped voluntarily by the goodwill and decency within your heart, the police are going to have to stop it.”
The recently updated Electronic Crimes Legislation grants law enforcement the authority to seize devices and conduct investigations. Wilkin cautioned that even deleting incriminating messages would not prevent prosecution, as authorities have the ability to recover deleted data.
"...don't matter what you delete, it can be found, and the police will charge you and bring you to justice,"he warned.
Wilkin urged the nation to reflect on its values. “So, we as a people, we have two choices. Continue to be reckless, irresponsible, not caring about people, not just because they're in public office you could say anything about them. It's improper, it is not decent, it's not becoming of people of this great country."
He called for a collective shift in behavior for the sake of future generations, adding that the police, with advice from the DPP's office and the Attorney General's office, are already taking action.
