BROWNE
Prime Minister Browne says his government will take the fight to criminals
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – 20th August 2024…….Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda the Hon. Gaston Browne has pledged to take the fight to criminals who are attempting to destabilize the country with a spate of crime and violence.
In a national address on Tuesday, Prime Minister Browne said that gun violence which has devastated countries in parts of the Caribbean would not be allowed to flourish in Antigua and Barbuda under his administration.
“We will not allow that to happen here—not now, not ever; certainly not under my leadership. Let me reassure our citizens and residents that gangs and those involved in gun violence will not be allowed to hold our people hostage. We will fight them – fire with fire, steel with steel until they are defeated,” he said.
Prime Minister Browne also reiterated a call made last week that the judiciary must play a greater role in ensuring that the constitutional and human rights of the lawless does not overshadow, or take precedent over the human and civil rights of the law- abiding citizens.
“No one should fear going to work, only to be robbed or killed by those who lack empathy; have no respect for the value of work, the value of legislation, or the value of life and property. Therefore, I continue to urge the judiciary to realign their sentencing practices with regional governments efforts to combat crime and violence,” Prime Minister stated.
To reinforce his point, the country’s leader revealed that there are currently 474 repeat offenders who are roaming the streets with impunity. He said a significant number of them are on bail, armed and dangerous; pursuing a full time career of crime and violence, at the expense of our people.
“If the judiciary continues to extend routine bail, short, or soft sentences on these hardened criminals, then their influence in attracting others to a life of crime and violence will expand and their numbers will continue to swell and soon exceed the aggregate numbers of law enforcement officers in our country,” he pointed out.
The Prime Minister called on the regional judiciary to act urgently in realigning the sentencing guidelines and to administer stiffer penalties, including mandatory jail time for gun crimes.
“Your libertarian policies to protect the constitutional and human rights of hardened criminals is now a significant impediment to effective crime fighting,” the country’s leader concluded.
On Monday, following a weekend during which the nation was rocked by the brutal killing of a 15 year old female, Prime Minister Browne convened a special meeting of the National Security Council, during which he advised law enforcement officers to take the fight to criminals. He also spoke about his government’s plans to engage the judiciary in this fight.
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