CARICOM declares `war on guns’ -arrest warrant treaty to be implemented immediately
In a dramatic escalation in the battle against firearms which will put it at odds with the United States, CARICOM Heads meeting in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday declared a war on guns.
They issued the following declaration:
“We the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on April 17-18, 2023, on the occasion of the Regional Symposium to address Crime and Violence as a public health issue, register our grave concern at the increase in the illegal exportation of guns from the United States of America which is a direct threat to our democracy.
“We declare a War on Guns to combat the illegal trade which provides the weapons that contribute significantly to crime and violence in our Region causing death, disabilities and compromising the safety of our citizens.
“We call on the United States of America to join the Caribbean in our War on Guns and urgently adopt and take action to stop the illegal exportation of firearms and ammunition into the Caribbean.
“We lament the disproportionate share of our national budgets that we are compelled to allocate to measures to address crime, violence and national security as well as mental health and other healthrelated challenges, that directly result from the illegal exportation of guns to our region.
“We underscore our commitment to utilize all human, financial and other
resources to rid our Region of the scourge of illicit weapons”.
During the two days of deliberations the United States was criticised for not doing enough to stem the flow of illicit arms into the Caribbean.
Guyana was represented at the meeting by Prime Minister, Mark Phillips; Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn and Attorney General Anil Nandlall.
Some CARICOM states had last month signalled that their impatience with Washington over this issue had expired.
On March 21st Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, The Bahamas, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago joined an amicus curiae brief in Mexico’s appeal in a civil lawsuit against US gun manufacturers. Sixteen US states also filed
an amicus curiae brief, according to Reuters. Mexico City is seeking to hold U.S. gun makers responsible for facilitating the trafficking of deadly weapons across the border.
Yesterday, the CARICOM Heads also issued a declaration underlining their intent on cracking down on illegal firearms and upping the pressure against Washington.
The preamble recognised that the epidemic of crime and violence in the Caribbean, fueled by illegal guns and organized criminal gangs, posed a threat to democracy and the stability of regional societies.
Deeply concerned at the high rate of illegal exportation of guns from the United States of America to the Caribbean Region, the Heads recalled the Region’s strong and enduring
investments to support the United States in its ‘War on Drugs’.
“…given our observation that the gun has become the new drug, as articulated in our separate 18 April 2023 Declaration, we call on the United States of America to reciprocate and join the Caribbean in its ‘War on Guns’.
The Heads further vowed to undertake a comprehensive overhaul of the criminal justice system to address criminal terrorists with a focus on proactive management of prosecutions, sentencing and the diversion of young people at risk.
They also pledged to
“strengthen regional forensic capabilities and collaboration among national forensic agencies with a view to improving the quality of evidence and speed the conduct of trials;
“Prepare regional model legislation to bring greater harmonization and efficiency to the development and revision of national laws;
“Immediately and effectively implement the CARICOM Arrest Warrant
Treaty;
“Augment the jurisdiction of magistrates, the consideration of defendants’ options to judgeonly trials, and the intraregional rotation of judges and magistrates to admit or foster their greater exposure”.
The Heads also agreed to ban assault weapons in the region, except for the security forces and sporting competitions and vowed to stand with Mexico on its legal action against US gun manufacturers and retailers.
They will also establish an entity under IMPACS to assist in the containment of corruption and financial crimes, including money laundering and cybercrimes, through greater collaboration to harmonise related legislation and operational processes.
They also agreed to appoint an Eminent Person to lead and advise Heads and the Secretariat on further strategies and reforms and on effectively operationalizing the decisions of Heads.
The Trinidad Express