The 24th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM recently adopted a “Regional Crime and Security Strategy”.
The Strategy resulted from consultations among regional security officials of CARICOM Member States by the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), as mandated by the Council of Ministers Responsible for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) at its Fifth Meeting.
Guyana’s Home Affairs Minister Clement J. Rohee, formed part of Guyana’s delegation to the recently concluded meeting which was held in Port-au-Prince, Haiti two weeks ago.
“The Ministry welcomes this move by the Heads of Government to adopt the Strategy, which complements the work being done locally to enhance security in the country,” a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs said.
According the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Strategy identifies and prioritizes the common security risks and threats which CARICOM Member States face and are likely to face, and advances an integrated and cohesive security framework to confront these challenges.
The Strategy, therefore, will guide the coordinated internal and external policies adopted by CARICOM Member States, within the meaning of their respective legal frameworks.
It has 14 strategic goals which are devised to mitigate and manage the security risks and threats to the Region.
Each of these goals build on important steps already taken, addresses specific security gaps, and sets out strategic lines of action that guide the types of activities to be carried out in order to achieve the overarching objective.
The Strategy is grounded in the principles and values of democratic choice, freedom, justice, prosperity, respect for territorial integrity, respect for and promotion of human rights and good governance, and is aimed at significantly improving citizen’s security by creating a safe, just and free Community and improving the economic viability of the Region.
Apart from the 14 strategic goals; Heads of Government have directed that Ministers of National Security and IMPACS formulate practical initiatives to address the dismantling of Gangs; reduce serious violence crimes; reduce the homicide/murder rate and provide technical assistance to help build capacity to investigate serious crimes.
The Regional Strategy will complement the Security Strategy launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs on December 31, 2012.
