I have the honour, as well as the decidedly difficult task, to speak on a subject which has already been comprehensively addressed by the preceding speaker, the Honourable Attorney General of the United States of America.
We in the Caribbean deeply appreciate the commitment made by President Obama during the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in April 2009 to support a joint United States Caribbean partnership that addresses the various security and safety concerns of our respective governments and citizens.
On the CARICOM side the seriousness and importance with which this issue is treated is fully illustrated in the steps taken by our Heads of Government to enshrine Security as the fourth pillar of the Caribbean Community alongside trade and economic integration, foreign and community relations and Human and social development
It is clear as one goes through the outcome documents on which our respective technical teams have been working for the past year that the definition of security goes beyond assistance for security and law enforcement forces and for drug interdiction, critical though they are, to embrace the strengthening of our legal systems as well as improving citizen safety and security. In this sense what may be referred to as the new security paradigm must interface with and cut across education and health, and place emphasis as well, on public awareness , crime prevention and rehabilitation in some instances instead of interdiction
For us in the Caribbean, this emphasis is of paramount importance. Security and justice are not only key values in all societies, they are also among the major expectations that citizens require of their governments. Citizens wish to live in a society that is peaceful; in a society where their rights are respected; in a society where their security is assured.
At present, citizen security and the public fear of crime are among the gravest concerns of the people of our various communities. Anxiety about personal security cuts across all boundaries in our societies – class, origin, location, you name it. At a time of rising common and violent crime in many of our countries, improving public safety has become one of the most daunting challenges that our governments have to address.
In addressing the specific theme of our discussions I would like to state that the Governments of the Caribbean Region respect the separation of powers between the state and the judiciary. Our governments nonetheless recognize the obligation to ensure that the judiciary is able to carry out its role in an effective, transparent and independent manner
As part of our responses to rising crime, many of our countries have sought to strengthen our law enforcement capacities through a variety of legal and social reforms, training programmes, crime prevention strategies and mobilization of increased resources. It is however quite clear that the approach needs to be multifaceted if success is to be achieved. In this regard, the establishment of effective judicial systems must be a priority.
The Inter American Treaty for Mutual legal Assistance affords the opportunity to the United States of America and the countries of the Caribbean to share information in support of crimes committed I am pleased that we could have reached agreement to focus on Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters as part of the justice sector reform agenda of the joint action plan
Like our police forces, our criminal justice systems have been overwhelmed by both the volume and nature of the crimes that have to be addressed. The old, leisurely traditional way of doing business has to be replaced in today’s world by reform and modernization – greater recourse to technology in both the administration of justice and in crime solution; greater coordination between the institutions of the criminal justice system to avoid working at cross purposes and delays; modernization of our criminal laws to be consistent with best practices; greater recourse to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Mr. Chairman,
We are well aware of what action needs to be taken, of what strategies need to be implemented, of what reforms are required to stimulate and render more effective our under-performing judicial and related institutions and systems. It is also quite clear that for reform and modernization to be effective and to have the desired impact it will be necessary to address simultaneously and not sequentially the shortcomings of the various institutions and agencies – judiciary, prosecution, law enforcement and prisons. There is however a reality that cannot be wished away – the acute limitation of our resources, not the will power, but the inadequacy of our resources.
I refer in particular to the need to address the background of bringing justice to citizens expeditiously addressing archaic models, historical circumstances and the lack of human and material capacities are key to this encumbrance. Training and advanced technology are sorely needed in this regard. The Caribbean therefore welcomes the inclusion if the joint plan of action, the provision that would allow for the improvement of the capacity of law enforcement agencies in the judicial system to investigate and prosecute crimes while respecting human rights.
I am heartened that the plan of action speaks to equipping and training the authorities and persons of judicial. Law enforcement and penal systems and to the coordination of training and technical assistance with CICAD and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen there is much advantage in the sharing of best practices amongst our respective judiciaries and we encourage this form of cooperation between the USA and the Caribbean
The internationalization of crime requires more than ever the internationalization of partnerships. We look forward to the benefits that this new partnership between the Caribbean and the United States will bring through the sharing of experiences and expertise, through cooperation in areas of mutual concern related to crime, justice and security.
