Caricom Heads at their February 18-19 intersessional conference in Haiti adopted a Regional crime and security strategy to harmonise the crime fighting approach in the region and it is seen as complementing local efforts.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who was part of Guyana’s delegation, welcomed the adoption of the regional strategy which he says, complements the security strategy launched by his ministry on December 31, 2012.
According to a release from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the strategy identifies and prioritises the common security risks and threats, which Caricom Member States face, and proposes an integrated and cohesive security framework to address these challenges.
The strategy will guide the policies adopted by all Caricom member states, within the interpretation of their respective legal frameworks.
The ministry said that the strategy is rooted in the principles and values of democratic choice, freedom, justice, prosperity, respect for territorial integrity, respect for and promotion of human rights and good governance, and is aimed at significantly improving citizen’s security by creating a safe, just and free community and improving the economic viability of the region.
The Council of ministers responsible for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) had mandated the Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) to consult
regional security officials of Caricom member states to formulate the common strategy.
The result was the compilation of fourteen strategic goals which seek to mitigate and manage the security risks and threats to the region.
These goals include:
Take the profit out of crime, target criminal assets and protect the financial system.
Increase trans-border intelligence and information sharing.
Enhance maritime and airspace awareness, strengthen Caricom borders including continuous land borders.
Strengthen the effectiveness of criminal investigation through modern technologies and scientific techniques.
Bolster Caricom’s resilience to cyber crime.
Boost mechanisms against human trafficking.
A mandate was also given to IMPACS monitor the implementation of the strategy and to provide advice to Member States on ways in which to deal with crime and security issues such as the dismantling of gangs; reducing serious-violence crimes; reducing the homicide/murder rate; providing technical assistance to help build capacity to investigate serious crimes, the ministry added.
