Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has called for the resumption of the death penalty.Speaking to reporters after the launch of the Constitutional Reform at the University of the West Indies St Augustine campus, Ramlogan said the Government's efforts are being stymied by the Opposition's refusal to support this initiative.Ramlogan said the Government was committed to the death penalty, but needed the necessary support.
Ramlogan said on three occasions the Government had asked the Opposition for its proposals "on how this can be done" since they were not opposed to the death penalty."I did not have the courtesy of a response. But I want to renew that request to the Leader of the Opposition. The death penalty is one that remains a sore point for the public."
The AG believes the time has come to pass tough legislation and to consider the removal of trial by juries.Over the past week, the Government has announced several crime fighting measures–from the reintroduction of joint army patrols, the use of army officers to fight crime, and now the abolition of jury trials for blood crimes.
"We cannot be afraid of change. Trinidadians are very comfortable people and we don't like to step out of our comfort zone. But right now that zone of comfort is becoming increasingly smaller as the bandits encroach on the turf that used to be once occupied by law abiding citizens."The Government, Ramlogan said, can no longer allow a minority of criminals to hold the country to ransom.
No downgrade in removing jury system
Meanwhile, Ramlogan, also said several countries operated without a jury system and there was no downgrade. He listed Singapore, India and Holland as some countries.He said, "It has not resulted in any downgrade. Singapore is looked upon as a model to the rest of the world."He said when a person was convicted or set free by a jury, that person could make an appeal to the court. (Read more on the removal of the jury system in tomorrow's Guardian)
