RebuildTT: PNM, UNC must unite against crime

WITH TT experiencing another bloody weekend, the non-governmental organisation RebuildTT is calling on the Government and the Opposition to stop playing politics and work together to overhaul the criminal justice system.

Pointing out that the majority of the 145 murders for the year had been gun-related, the organisation also urged Government to establish a gun court.

“With the help of the Opposition this could be a reality which could work hand in hand with the plan to deny bail for 120 days on firearms offences. A gun court, as the name implies, will deal exclusively with firearms-related matters,” it said. “This will expedite trials. Since most of the crimes committed involve firearms there is more than enough justification for such a court.”

In a statement, the organisation recalled when in February Police Commissioner Gary Griffith put the police service in CODE RED, RebuildTT advised that “Mr Griffith was not the ‘silver bullet’” in dealing with crime.

“The entire criminal justice system must be overhauled, or we will continue spinning top in mud.”

RebuildTT said it was not fundamentally opposed to the proposal of no bail for 120 days for those caught with a gun, but such legislation was open to abuse.

“In the first place if the criminal justice system worked the way it should, matters such as these would be promptly prosecuted.”

RebuildTT also wants the Government to introduce legislation to make it easier to remove office holders in the criminal justice system who are entrenched for life under the Constitution. It said it was referring to the Chief Justice and Director of Public Prosecutions.

“There is precedence for this in the world’s largest democracy, India – a member of the Commonwealth. Article 124 (4) of its constitution allows for two-thirds of both houses of Parliament to remove the Chief Justice.

“The same could apply to the office of the DPP.”

In the UK, it said, both houses of Parliament can petition the queen to remove a judge.

“This cannot be done without the Opposition’s support, and we call on the PNM and UNC to stop playing politics with crime as people die each day.”