Caricom arrest warrant treaty likely before end of 2016
Georgetown, GINA, July 6, 2016
Caricom Chairman, Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit at a press conference this evening, marking the close of the 37th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, informed media operatives that the Heads agreed to have an arrest warrant treaty in place before the end of this year.
“The arrest warrant treaty would enhance law enforcement ability to address matters of cross – border crimes… if we are to enter into this treaty, if someone from Dominica committed a crime and moved to St Vincent and the Grenadines, the authorities there would be able to arrest that individual and repatriate them to Dominica to face charges,” Prime Minister Skerrit explained.
President David Granger co-host , Caricom Chairman and host Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit and Secretary General, Caricom, Ambassador Irwin La Rocque at the closing press conference of the 37th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom
He added that such a treaty will enhance collaboration and cooperation between and amongst law enforcement agencies across the region, giving them the ability to apprehend those of interest to the judicial system.
The issue of security occupied a significant amount of the time allotted for discussions during the life of the Conference.
“We’re brought up to date on major issues with respect to the region’s security and agreed on ways to deepen and strengthen cooperation in this area… we approved the review of the CARICOM crime and security strategy and discussed ways of ensuring that there was coordination between national security plans and the strategy,” Prime Minister Skerrit explained.
He further stated that the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) continues to play an important role in the effort to address crime and security.
Skerrit said it was agreed that urgent steps should be taken for completion of a number of critical regional security agreements.