Outspoken Human Rights advocate Mary Francis has strongly criticised Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre over responses to questions about a report on alleged extra-judicial killings by local police.
She said the Prime Minister should be ashamed of himself.
At a news conference on Friday, Pierre denied knowing that the 2014 Caribbean Community’s Implementing Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) report on the killings between 2010 and 2011 implicated a member of his Cabinet.
“I am appalled and even ashamed to hear the response, that he knew nothing,” Mary Francis told St. Lucia Times.
“I am not going to accept that. That is unacceptable,” the outspoken Attorney at Law stated.
She recalled that Pierre was part of the Dr. Kenny Anthony administration, which came into office in 2011 after the electorate voted out the Stephenson King government.
Pierre was then Deputy Prime Minister.
Francis, the National Centre for Legal Aid and Human Rights Executive Director, noted that Operation Restore Confidence, under which the police slayings occurred, happened during King’s watch.
King is now a member of the current Cabinet.
“The state continued to exist regardless of a change in government, so the institutions of the state must be protected, must function and part of the institutions is the investigative arm of the justice system, which is the police,” Francis asserted.
Francis declared that the Kenny Anthony administration, including Pierre, knew the killings had occurred and had a duty to account for the deaths.
She said under pressure, Anthony brought in IMPACS.
The Human Rights advocate said Pierre was part of Anthony’s Cabinet and should have known about the IMPACS report.
“Dr. Anthony had the report. He referred to that report in the media,” Francis noted.
She told St. Lucia Times that if Pierre, currently responsible for National Security, were interested in the rule of law, he would have found out from then Prime Minister Anthony what the document contained.
Francis said the entire Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) Cabinet at the time had a duty to act but did nothing.
“This has been a political football, but I would blame the Labour Party more because they had time on their side to do something between 2011 and 2016 and have a prosecution,” she stated.
Seems she has valid point there …
I am ashamed too, it’s either excuses, deflecting,” they don’t want to talk about that, it’s none of your business, I don’t know.” What kinda cartoon characters we have leading us. The other one was arrogant, that one doesn’t know anything. Maisiay, let’s get dem crazy politicians out of the house… we need fresh blood, not recycled politrixters. UWP and SLP have to be sacked.
I actually watch the video Pierre was so unprofessional I was shocked. At one point he even told the reporter that’s none of his business.
Pierre, you work for the Saint Lucian public, you work for us. Anything to do with matters of the country is the business of the public.
And how is it you National Security Minister and you don’t know important information about the organization in which you over see and about circumstances surrounding an organization that was sanctioned by the U.S.?
You should be ashamed to say you don’t know. As a politician you should know how to talk without putting your self in jeopardy.
You look weak, incompetent and unprofessional in that press conference/interview. I actually think the reporter could have done more to make you look incompetent.
And I like Pierre, but I have to call you out on that one sorry, you look weak. Uhh my God!!!
Pierre you are right pal….. just tell them I can’t recall that’s it you have the country to run you can’t be distracted now with these fools
he should very well be ashamed cause thats how he answers all of his questions from the time of covid when they got into power but i rather suspect he also wanted to run away from the person asking the questions cause dale elliot has a way of asking questions eh you swear the guy is a lawyer at a trial. You mean to tell me Big National Security Minister like you thats how you responding? No wonder we in such a mess with crime. If mate is security minister i dont feel no way secured uh
Did anyone ever realized the SLP have 3 PMs within its Governance and yet failing the country.
Since 1997, our country has faced serious challenges under the SLP leadership. In 1996, the homicide rate was just around 8 per year, but by 2002, it had surged to 40 per year, a staggering 400% increase. The Debt to GDP Ratio also skyrocketed during this time, with little benefit to the country. The SLP government has been in power for 4 out of the last 6 terms and shares responsibility for these issues due to their failed policies. You can verify these facts with a quick online search for “macrotrends Saint Lucia murder rate chart.” It’s time to get informed and take action. Let’s rally and urge our government representatives to do better, embracing proven strategies that can steer us toward a brighter future and not just jobs for the boys.
A BLACK TRUMP moment. It sad Mr. PM. i thought you are better than than.
This shows 2 things Either PJP is Uncaring or Lying. SMBH
That’s not our business, seriously pjp. So only before election allu realizing that the power lies within the people and not the people in power.so there’s alot of things allu hiding from us the citizens.
The PM cannot shout too much on that impacts report, because cock san zel la ka veye, likewise King, every move cock san zel make King has to be there under his wings. Some body please read the report to the public again
@Oh Really get a life 🥱
@The anarchist, I already have one, I do not need to depend on politicians to survive. Selling out your country for politics.
This is what you call pathetic and that moron Highjacka$$ says he is right. Say he doesn’t know. It’s just like Emma answered a question, if you know that the supermarkets were charging between 80 to 150% more for products. What will the government do about it and she answers “KILL IT”, Where are we going with such characters governing us. A question of National importance. Is not our business. What else is not our business? A hospital your goons have in a report that it required 20 million to complete. but you borrowed 200 million to complete it. I know I APOLOGIZE was 3 words, and the cost of living has gone up 5 fold, how 20 is equal to 200.
Pierre tell them Chu you don’t recall……these clowns get a little bone to chew on. As for that O Really 1997 was a very good year when our SLP God cast away Judas from the party. Hey it’s been 25yrs I will celebrate and mark the occasion by buying the anointed one a brown juice I must ask The Most Honorable KDA given the time past his reflections of the day in question and why he made such a profound wise choice against Judas for his insubordination.