Declaring that everyone should be involved in the battle against crime, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves on Friday reiterated his support for the death penalty.
The Vincentian leader spoke during Good Morning Saint Lucia as several Caribbean countries were experiencing a violent crime spike.
In one incident in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in July this year, five people, including a teenager, died in a hail of bullets in the capital, Kingstown.
“I think the Privy Council, our own Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, that we have been wrong in essentially bringing to an end the question of the death penalty for murder or particular types of murder,” Gonsalves declared.
He acknowledged that the absence of a death penalty would work in some places.
But Gonsalves said he was satisfied that the death penalty would be a deterrent in ‘our circumstances’ to restrain individuals from choosing to kill or commit other violent crimes.
He rejected poverty as an excuse for crime, declaring that one never hears an accused pleading not guilty to criminal activity based on being poor.
“That’s not a defence,” Gonsalves told Good Morning Saint Lucia Host Shannon Lebourne.
“People make choices in committing crime,” the Vincentian leader explained.
“There is an environment, certainly, but at the end of the day, you make a choice,” Gonsalves asserted.
In addition, he noted that many commentators and people in opposition blame the government for crime.
“You don’t take care of your boy child up to when he is fourteen years old, and at fourteen years old, you say, ‘ Well dah ain’t my problem. Dah is Chastanet’s problem. Dah is Philip Pierre problem. Dah is Ralph problem. Well, is all of us problem,” Gonsalves stated.
I would like them to do a rerun because i missed the interview. I totally agree to all his statements
The devil is angry and he knows he jas a short time left. He is making havoc with our young boys and girls. They are easily provoked to anger. Lord you alone can put a stop to that wave of crime. Let us all surrender our lives to the Maker of heaven and earth. Stay safe
Gonzales is one of the smartest leaders in the Caribbean. He reminds me of Sir John . I think Sir John, like dr Gonzales would never participate in CIP – These guys think out of the box and see beyond the present and besides, they are fearless. Our resent and present crop of leaders in the Caribbean, BEAM PM excluded, are too timid.
Yea me too. Let’s start with the corrupt thieving politicians.
In all the Caribbean leaders I consider you the “BEST” the late John Compton would love you!!!
I will support you if you go Republic that way you can start hanging these CRIMINALS…
From a St.Lucian who is 💯% your fan!!
Dr. Gonzalves rejoins the platform on Tuesday of this week.