COP calls for referendum on death penalty

Congress of the People (COP) political leader Prakash Ramadhar is calling for a referendum on capital punishment.

In a statement yesterday, Ramadhar reiterated his party’s call for Constitutional Reform and for the use of the referendum to decide on national issues. “If ever there were a need for a referendum, it would be on this issue of capital punishment,” he said. “Constitutional reform and the use of the referendum has been a pillar of the COP’s legislative agenda from our early days. “We campaigned on the promise of constitutional reform in 2007 and again in 2010...We stand by our pledges.” Ramadhar, who noted the heated debates on the return of the death penalty, said that at the COP’s last National Assembly on January 14, delegates representing T&T’s 41 constituencies called on the leadership of the party to make constitutional reform an important part of the Government’s agenda.

 

The resolution was unanimously passed. Ramadhar said the COP was “heartened by the promise of our Honourable Prime Minister to ensure that Constitutional Reform will be tackled in 2012.” On the issue of the death penalty, the COP leader said: “Capital punishment for certain crimes is the law of Trinidad and Tobago. “We have always taken the position that the laws of the country must be enforced.  “This issue is bigger than any individual and must be on the front burner of every patriot. “We must have open and frank dialogue and debate on this matter.”