Category: CANA News

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) minister responsible for aviation and transportation will meet here on Thursday for the Caribbean High-Level Symposium on Aviation Safety, where they are expected to adopt a Georgetown Declaration and agree on a roadmap of priority actions to strengthen aviation safety across the Community.

A statement issued by the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said that it has convened the symposium in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

It said that the symposium will follow the two-day ICAO/EASA Third Global Forum of Regional Safety Oversight Organisations and Regional Accident and Incident Investigation Organisations, being hosted by the Guyana government under the auspices of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and ends on Wednesday.

‘Guided by the theme ‘Strengthening Caribbean Aviation Safety: Regional Cooperation, Resilient Oversight and Sustainable Capacity Development’, the symposium will seek agreement on practical measures to strengthen aviation safety oversight across the region, deepen cooperation, and coordinate capacity development, financing and implementation,’ the Secretariat said.

It said that at the centre of the discussions is the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS), CARICOM’s principal mechanism for strengthening regional aviation safety oversight.

The Secretariat said that CASSOS supports member states in meeting their international obligations, improving and strengthening regulatory effectiveness and safety performance, and advancing the conditions necessary for an efficient single market for air transport services across the Community.

‘Effective aviation safety oversight is fundamental to safe and sustainable air transport and to advancing the region’s single market. This symposium is about moving from challenges to practical action, with a Declaration that member states, CASSOS and our partners can take forward together,’ said Dr. Pauline Yearwood, Programme Manager, Transportation, Directorate of Economic Integration, Innovation and Development at the CARICOM Secretariat.

The symposium will open with the presentation of the Draft CASSOS Roadmap and Action Matrix to 2035, together with a review of the outcomes of the Global Forum.

‘Subsequent sessions will examine the sustainability of Caribbean civil aviation authorities, progress towards harmonised civil aviation regulations across Member States, and the role of effective safety oversight in supporting an efficient single market for air transport under the CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement.’

The Secretariat said that a Ministerial Roundtable will bring together ministers with responsibility for air transportation and senior officials to examine the challenges, opportunities and priorities shaping the future of Caribbean aviation safety.

‘These high level and senior aviation decision makers will also engage strategic partners on support for resilient, safe and sustainable aviation and consider perspectives from the aviation industry.’

Discussions will also address emerging risks and priorities for safety oversight, the evolving role of CASSOS in supporting member states’ implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, and sustainable approaches to financing and governance for regional aviation safety oversight.

The symposium will end with the adoption of a Declaration, setting out shared priorities and actions to advance aviation safety across the region.

Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday and his Foreign Affairs Minister Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble were asked repeatedly on Tuesday why they chose to maintain their Canadian citizenship as the faced cross-examination over their dual citizenship in the high-stakes election petition that continues on Wednesday.

Trinidad-based Senior Counsel, Stuart Young told reporters that there were ample opportunities for both the prime minister and Bramble to renounce their Canadian citizenship.

‘And you would have also heard the question being asked repeatedly, ‘Well, why did you want to hold on to your Canadian citizenship … when you want to serve the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines?’ and that really, from a factual point of view, is something that is quite important,’ Young added.

Prime Minister Friday acknowledged that he holds Vincentian citizenship by birth and Canadian citizenship by naturalisation, obtained in 2011. He said he continues to use his Canadian passport for practical reasons and maintained that his Canadian citizenship does not prevent him from serving as a Member of Parliament.

Friday and Bramble are respondents in petitions filed by defeated Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidates Carlos Williams and Luke Browne, who are challenging their eligibility to sit in Parliament following the November 27 general election last year.

Williams lost to Dr Friday in the Northern Grenadines constituency, while Browne was defeated by Bramble in East Kingstown as the New Democratic Party (NDP) won 14 of the 15 seats with only former prime minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalvves as the lone successful candidate for the then ruling ULP..

The petitioners argue that the two parliamentarians hold Canadian citizenship, which they say violates constitutional provisions concerning allegiance to a foreign state.

The petitioners, led by Young, presented their case in July, including testimony from a Canadian constitutional expert, while the respondents, led by another Trinidad-based Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan, began presenting their case this week.

Following Tuesday’s court session, Prime Minister Friday left without making his customary comments to reporters and Young later expressed strong confidence in the day’s proceedings.

Asked by reporters about the focus on why the respondents chose to retain foreign nationality, Young indicated that the media had identified a central pillar of the petitioners’ case.

‘You know, you wait until the end of a case and submissions and the decision of the judge, but certainly, what you would have seen is a very focused cross-examination, and you’ve spotted one of the points, and in particular, that is going to be one of the matters that will be considered in this trial of these election petitions,’ Young said.

Young said he had also raised questions during the proceedings regarding specific bills that have been laid in Parliament to amend the constitutional provisions.

‘So I don’t want to say much at this stage, but if something isn’t necessary, then that becomes a question, so let’s see how the rest of the week goes when we close the evidence, we come back and make closing submissions’, Young said, adding that the petitioners continue to feel quite good about the trajectory of the case.

Asked specifically what he would say to members of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines public who believe it is more of a disservice for a prime minister to be constantly bogged down in court than to hold a passport to another country, Young replied by putting the responsibility squarely Friday’s shoulder.

‘He chooses to be here. He chooses to hold a Canadian passport. That’s for the prime minister,’ Young replied.

Friday was questioned on his understanding of constitutional provisions regarding dual citizenship, as well as his comprehension of heads of state in other Commonwealth territories and their constitutional implications.

Among those also appearing on Tuesday in the matter being heard by High Court judge, Justice Gertel Thom, was the Trinidad-based political scientist Professor Hamid Ghany who was cross-examined virtually on a specialised report analysing the Commonwealth and the political aspects of regional constitutions.

The proceedings continue on Wednesday with other key expert witnesses providing specialised analysis relevant to the constitutional definitions in the case.

On Monday, Canadian legal expert Joel Goberman gave evidence regarding the constitutional meaning, rights, and responsibilities of the citizenship oath.

Goberman, an attorney with over 40 years of experience appeared virtually from Italy to assist the court in understanding foreign jurisdiction and the legal framework, rules, and responsibilities tied to Canadian citizenship.

During extensive cross-examination on a comprehensive expert report he prepared for the matter, Goberman informed the court of the specific rules and responsibilities of a Canadian citizen, the administrative procedures required for acquiring a visa and naturalised citizenship, as well as the fundamental legal weight and importance of allegiance.

‘So his evidence is pretty important in that regard because it means that it’s a symbolic oath that demonstrates commitment to a form of government that is very much aligned with that of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Commonwealth Caribbean,’ Ramlogan told reporters.

He said his client has always been entirely upfront about his dual citizenship status throughout his career as a Member of Parliament, which began in 2001.

‘This objection has never been taken before until the people elected him with an overwhelming mandate as prime minister.

‘So, having served for such a long time, it being an open secret that he was a citizen of Canada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines … it’s amusing that when he’s elected as prime minister, all of a sudden you have all these … chorus of voices … being channelled through the leader of the opposition, no doubt, the opposition party,’ Ramlogan added.

President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons Wednesday said that while the government is seeking to increase revenue, this policy is not always achieved given that the taxes are directed at practically the same businesses and citizens.

Delivering her Annual Address to the National Assembly, President Geerlings-Simons said that by next year, the emphasis should shift more towards better tax collection, broadening the tax base, reducing leakages, and strengthening controlsShe said that at the same time , the government will continue to safeguard purchasing power and social protection.

‘A strong state needs sufficient revenue. But the solution cannot always be to tax the same citizens and businesses ever more heavily,’ the head of state said, acknowledging that the government has already begun strengthening the Tax and Customs Administration.

She said measures have been taken since 2025 to attract more employees with the necessary expertise and that specific knowledge for the oil and gas sector is also being built within the service.

Geerlings-Simons told legislators that six bills have been submitted to the National Assembly in 2026 for the establishment of a Tax and Collection Authority and next year, the modernisation efforts would continue with better data, digitalization, targeted checks, and stronger enforcement.

She said the Customs Department will also be further strengthened, noting that smuggling and illegal trade cost a significant loss in revenue as well as disadvantaging businesses that abide by the rules.

President Geerlings-Simons said that in cooperation with Dutch Customs, local investigative capacity has been strengthened with a special dog unit and that further professionalism and digitalization should improve control and collection.

President Geerlings-Simons said that in November 6, 2025, two international bonds were issued with a combined value of US$1.175 billion and maturing in five and 10 years. She said a reopening of the 10-year bond for US$265 million followed in February this year.

According to the head of state, the funds from these operations were primarily used for refinancing and making existing debt more manageable.

She noted that existing obligations were repurchased or repaid early.

President Geerlings-Simons said that approximately US$185 million from the reopening of the 10-year bond is earmarked for urgent projects, making particular reference to projects in agriculture and the restoration of facilities in healthcare and education.

She said that the new financing decisions must fit within a broader debt strategy an that work is continuing with regards to the development of the local capital market.

In her address, President Geerlings-Simons said that public servants had also benefitted from a 15 per has been granted to civil servants, teachers, and government employees as of September 2026.

A tax-free allowance had already been granted in March. However, the President warned that a higher income alone does not automatically lead to better living conditions and for that to happen the macroeconomic situation must also remain healthy and the exchange rate stable.

She said that the government continues to hold discussions with teachers about further improving their position and that agreements have been reached with civil servants regarding further negotiations.

According to official figures released here, an estimated SRD 4.15 billion (One SRD=US$0.02 cents) has been spent on social services in the first seven months of this year.

The General Old Age Provision (AOV) has been increased from SRD 2,250 to SRD 3,250 per month. Financial assistance for people with disabilities has increased from SRD 2,500 to SRD 3,500, and support for socially vulnerable households fhas moved from SRD 1,750 to SRD 2,750.

The government said that the General Child Allowance was increased from SRD 125 to SRD 250 per month.

Geerlings-Simons told legislators payment of approximately SRD 257 million in outstanding social entitlements from previous years began this year and that beneficiary files are being cleaned up and updated.

‘We are therefore not choosing between financial discipline and social protection,’ she said, adding that the government aims to make social protection financially sustainable and better targeted.

Meanwhile, the main opposition Progressive Reform Party (VHP) has reversed its decision to boycott Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting with its parliamentary leader, Asiskumar Gajadien, saying that their attendance is ‘out of respect for the Constitution, the institution of the President, and our constitutional responsibility as representatives of the people.

‘However, our presence is expressly in protest against the decision-making procedure followed and must in no way be interpreted as agreement with this course of action or as acceptance of the precedent created hereby,’ Gajadien added.

The VHP had earlier sent a letter to Speaker Ashwin Adhin lodging a ‘serious objection’ regarding the manner in which the decision-making process concerning the organisation of the Annual Address took place.

‘We request that you formally record this protest in the parliamentary records and ensure that future decisions within the National Assembly are taken in advance, in a democratic and regulatory manner. After all, the credibility of our democratic institution is determined not only by the decisions it makes, but equally by the manner in which these decisions are reached.’

Shubman Gill struck the fastest double-century in ODI history and Rohit Sharma made 101 as India mowed down 406 to beat West Indies with 39 balls to spare, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

On a pancake-flat pitch, West Indies, sent in, posted 405, with John Campbell, Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo all scoring centuries. Debutant Auqib Nabi finished with 0 for 84 from 8.5 overs, the most expensive debut figures by an Indian bowler.

India’s reply was even more ruthless. Gill remained unbeaten on 223 off 133 balls, reaching his double hundred off 117 balls, nine quicker than Ishan Kishan’s previous record.

Rohit made 101 off 72 balls and became the third Indian after Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli to reach 12,000 ODI runs.

The match produced 811 runs, the third-highest aggregate in ODIs and the first in which five batters scored centuries.

Gill’s innings began streakily. In the first over, Jayden Seales found movement off the seam, and Gill’s attempted cut flew past off stump for four via a thick under-edge.

Seales beat him again in his next over, but Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph offered width, conceding 14 and 17 in their first overs. India were 92 without loss after ten overs, with Rohit racing to a 32-ball fifty.

Gill then took over, coming down to the spinners, hitting Roston Chase for two sixes in an over, and reaching his hundred off only 62 balls.

West Indies had one real chance to break the stand when Keacy Carty dropped Rohit off Vitel Lawes on 84. Rohit went on to reach his 35th ODI hundred off 72 balls.

Seales eventually trapped him lbw with a slower ball in the 27th over, ending a 255-run opening stand, three short of Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly’s Indian record, and setting India on course for a record chase.

Gill and Kohli took 25 off Seales’s next over as India reached 300 in 29.1 overs, the fastest by any team in an ODI and more than three overs quicker than South Africa in their famous 438 chase.

Kohli fell for 29 off 19, ramping Shamar Joseph to third man, where Sherfane Rutherford took a sharp catch on the ropes. Ruturaj Gaikwad rotated strike while Gill continued, reaching 150 off 89 balls.

Earlier, West Indies built their total around two big partnerships. Carty, promoted to open for the injured Justin Greaves, was caught by Naman Dhir off Prasidh Krishna for 9 in the fifth over with the score on 37, India’s only Powerplay wicket.

West Indies were 96-1 after 10 overs. Campbell made a 68-ball hundred with nine fours and five sixes, adding 110 off 79 with Hope before Gurnoor Brar broke through.

Hope and Jangoo then added 182 off 131 balls. Hope anchored with 104 off 94, while Jangoo accelerated from 59 off 54 to a century off 70 balls.

Kuldeep Yadav ended the stand on the final ball of the 40th over, having Hope caught by Nabi at 329. Two deliveries later, Brar had Rutherford caught for a first ball for a duck.

Jadeja removed Jangoo two overs later, and Kuldeep had Keemo Paul caught by Kohli soon after for his 200th ODI wicket, becoming the fastest Indian spinner to the milestone; only Mohammed Shami has reached it in fewer matches for India.

Roston Chase’s 29 not out off 25 lifted West Indies to 405, but they managed only 76 in the last 10 overs, a finish India’s batsmen made look woefully insufficient.

India elected to field after winning the toss against the West Indies in the Second One Day International at Barsapara Stadium here on Wednesday.

SQUADS

INDIA: 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shubman Gill (capt), 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Ruturaj Gaikwad, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Naman Dhir, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Auqib Nabi, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Gurnoor Brar, 11 Prasidh Krishna

WEST INDIES: 1 John Campbell, 2 Keacy Carty, 3 Shai Hope (capt and wk), 4 Amir Jangoo, 5 Sherfane Rutherford, 6 Roston Chase, 7 Keemo Paul, 8 Alzarri Joseph, 9 Shamar Joseph, 10 Jayden Seales, 11 Vitel Lawes

Umpires: Sharfudulla, Virender Sharma.

TV Umpire: Sam Nogajski

Reserve Umpire: Jayaraman Madanagopal

Match Referee: Prakash Bhatt.

A 37-year-old taxi driver is due to appear in a court on Thursday after he has been charged with the rape and abduction of a 10-year-old girl earlier this month.

Police said that the accused, a resident of Canaan Heights in Clarendon, south of here, was charged with both offences on Monday, four days after he was detained by the police.

According to the police, the child on September 8 had exited a taxi while on her way to school when she was approached by a man who persuaded her to get into his vehicle.

Police said the child was abducted and taken to a neighbouring community where she was sexually assaulted in a heavily vegetated area before being released in the vicinity of her school by the abductor.

A report was made to the primary school staff and the child was taken to hospital.

Scoreboard of the third Women’s One Day International between West Indies Women and Zimbabwe Women at the Harare Sports Club here on Wednesday.

WEST INDIES WOMEN

*Hayley Matthews c Chipare b Sibanda 118

Realeanna Grimmond b Sibanda 3

+Shemaine Campbelle c Ndhlovu b Biza 96

Chinelle Henry c Mavunga b Gwanzura 5

Stafanie Taylor c Sibanda b Biza 8

Jannillea Glasgow not out 26

Jahzara Claxton not out 11

Extras (lb1, w3) 4

TOTAL (5 wickets; 50 overs) 271

Did not bat: Aaliyah Alleyne, Zaida James, Afy Fletcher, Ashmini Munisar

Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-198, 3-210, 4-224, 5-243

Bowling: Sibanda 7-2-42-2, Mavunga 4-0-42-0, Gwanzura 10-3-36-1, Chipare 10-0-52-0, Chare 10-0-52-0, Biza 9-0-46-2.

ZIMBABWE WOMEN

+Modester Mupachikwa c Grimmond James 4

Kelis Ndhlovu c Campbelle b Glasgow 2

Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano c Matthews b Fletcher 25

Beloved Biza c Glasgow b Munisar 7

*Josephine Nkomo not out 74

Sharne Mayers c Henry b Munisar 13

Nyasha Gwanzura b Alleyne 13

Michelle Mavunga b Alleyne 13

Nomvelo Sibanda run out 12

Francisca Chipare run out 2

Olinder Chare c Alleyne b Glasgow 2

Extras (b6, lb3, nb1, w3) 13

TOTAL (all out; 47.3 overs) 180

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-9, 3-31, 4-56, 5-85, 6-107, 7-131, 8-148, 9-169, 10-180

Bowling: James 3-0-15-1, Glasgow 8.3-0-37-2, Munisar 10-2-32-2, Fletcher 10-0-32-1, Alleyne 10-0-39-2, Matthews 6-0-16-0.

Result: West Indies Women defeated Zimbabwe Women by 91 runs to win the three-match series 2-1.

Player of the Match: Hayley Matthews

Umpires: Kim Cotton, Langton Rusere

Reserve Umpire: Foster Mutizwa

Match Referee: Owen Chirombe.

Prime Minister Philip Davis has called on the United States to follow the proper process as he broke his silence on reports that undercover US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had been conducting operations in The Bahamas.

The US Ambassador Herschel Walker had publicly challenged the government’s complaint that DEA agents had operated in The Bahamas without the knowledge or authorisation of local authorities.

Walker has also dismissed the suggestion that DEA agents had operated illegally as ‘fake news’ and questioned why Bahamian officials were concerned about US authorities helping to arrest a known drug trafficker.

Davis, speaking to reporters, said that while he did not believe the dispute would tarnish relations between the two countries, his only wish is for Washington to follow the proper process.

‘We’re not fearing anything. It’s not a question of fearing targeting criminals. We all want to get criminals out, ensure that they pay for their crimes. It’s not about targeting criminals at all.

‘It’s a question of the process. There’s a process that exists between countries as to when and how we engage. All that is being asked for is for the process to be followed,’ said Davis.

The controversy on the subject was further reignited last week when the Bahamas Ambassador to the United States, Wendall Jones, said that ‘rogue’ DEA agents have been conducting operations here and ‘destabilising’ the government.

Jones also asked for US officials to reveal the identity of ‘Politician-1′, an unnamed Bahamian politician who is alleged to have met with a drug dealer in Parliament to discuss the delivery of cocaine into the US.

Jones’ comments came following the arrest of convicted drug trafficker Jonathan Eric Gardiner, who was taken into custody in the US after a plane he was traveling on crashed in waters off Florida on May 12.

Gardiner was charged in June with drug importation and conspiracy offenses, with US officials alledging that he was moving tons of cocaine through The Bahamas with the protection of Bahamian government officials.

Earlier this week, Attorney General Wayne Munroe made similar statements to that of Jones, accusing the DEA agents of breaching Bahamian drug laws through their undercover operations.

‘For many reasons, you do not go into another country and commit what is in essence a crime, because being involved with a CI [criminal informant] or somebody else supposedly agreeing to transfer drugs is a crime.’

Munroe said that The Bahamas has historically had a good working relationship with American authorities, especially as it relates to cocaine busts, but insisted that one-sided operations could easily go wrong.

The Bahamas also has a longstanding counter-narcotics relationship with the United States through Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT)

Walker responding to Munroe’s statement, said he is encouraging Nassau to ‘work with its greatest ally’, adding that Washington stands ready to strengthen the relationship between the two countries insisting also that the US cannot accept the ‘flow of drugs’ to its shores any longer.

Prime Minister Davis told reporters that he wants the United States to notify Bahamian authorities of their operations, reiterating that he does not believe that the current public spat would affect their relations.

‘I don’t think so. I take, quite frankly, as I said to my people, we ought to take the advice of the ambassador. What did he say? Just let us wait and see. So I take his advice, and I think we ought to just wait and see.’

Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday Wednesday said he remains confident that he would be victorious in the election petitions now before the High Court.

Prime Minister Friday and his Foreign Affairs Minister Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble testified on Tuesday with the lawyers for the two opposition legislators repeatedly asking the two government ministers why they chose to maintain their Canadian citizenship.

Speaking on the state-owned NBC Radio on Wednesday, Prime Minister Friday said while the petitions before the High Court are ‘taking up a lot of my time…we said from the outset, we are confident about our position with respect to this matter’.

Friday said as a lawyer he has ‘tremendous respect for the court and … you know, we have to respond to this petition.

‘Yesterday I gave my evidence to the court and we are continuing with the hearing of the matter today and our team of lawyers presented expert evidence from two experts. They heard also from myself and from Mr. Bramble…and today we will continue with witnesses that we are presenting.’

On Tuesday, Trinidad-based Senior Counsel, Stuart Young told reporters that there were ample opportunities for both the prime minister and Bramble to renounce their Canadian citizenship.

‘And you would have also heard the question being asked repeatedly, ‘Well, why did you want to hold on to your Canadian citizenship … when you want to serve the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines?’ and that really, from a factual point of view, is something that is quite important,’ Young added.

Friday and Bramble are respondents in petitions filed by defeated Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidates Carlos Williams and Luke Browne, who are challenging their eligibility to sit in Parliament following the November 27 general election last year.

Williams lost to Dr Friday in the Northern Grenadines constituency, while Browne was defeated by Bramble in East Kingstown as the New Democratic Party (NDP) won 14 of the 15 seats with only former prime minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves as the lone successful candidate for the then ruling ULP..

The petitioners argue that the two parliamentarians hold Canadian citizenship, which they say violates constitutional provisions concerning allegiance to a foreign state.

The petitioners, led by Young, presented their case in July, including testimony from a Canadian constitutional expert, while the respondents, led by another Trinidad-based Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan, began presenting their case this week.

Prime Minister Friday told radio listeners he is hoping that ‘we can conclude the hearings as quickly as possible because it takes a lot of time and a lot of people who are there.

‘It’s not just for Bramble and myself present, colleagues who come to show their support as you would expect, and they’re using a lot of time that could be otherwise spent doing more productive work on behalf of the people.

‘But once this is done, it’s not going to deflect me from the work that I have to do. We are going to continue to work and serve the people. We were elected with an overwhelming mandate.

‘We are the people’s choice to govern the country and that is what will prevail. You know, that is what has to be given priority because that is the choice of the people of the country and that is what I am giving priority to, to serve in the way that I was elected to do,’ Friday told radio listeners.

But when Young was asked on Tuesday what he would say to members of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines public who believe it is more of a disservice for a prime minister to be constantly bogged down in court than to hold a passport to another country, Young replied by putting the responsibility squarely Friday’s shoulder.

‘He chooses to be here. He chooses to hold a Canadian passport. That’s for the prime minister,’ Young replied.

Parliament has given the nod to amending Antigua and Barbuda’s sexual offences legislation, including a provision making sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16 punishable by up to life imprisonment.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Sir Steadroy Benjamin, who piloted the legislation, said the changes are intended to strengthen protections for children and impose tougher consequences on offender.

‘Sexual offences and the abuse being taken of our young people, young girls in particular, in Antigua and Barbuda, and the kind of sentences which are passed in this grave matter, Mr. Speaker,’ Benjamin said, adding ‘these grown men take advantage of young children, young girls.’

He said the government has a duty to send a strong message to sexual predators.

‘Any sexual predator who has been convicted of a sexual offence, serve a sentence, and intends to go back into a community to live, that everyone in that community ought to know that Joe Bloggs is coming back to Otters, to Grace Farm, or to Barbuda.

‘Look out for your children. Watch them carefully. We are of the very firm opinion that once you’ve committed a crime, you have served your time, you come back into the community, they must know that joining the community is that gentleman, he’s banned, he’s dangerous.

‘Watch your children. We are prepared, if necessary, to fight this matter to the very end. Those persons who may think that their rights or the Constitution are being deferred with, so be it,’ Benjamin said, outlining also provisions dealing with sexual intercourse with a minor under the age of 16.

‘Where a person has sexual intercourse with a minor who’s under the age of 16 years, he or she shall be guilty of an offence whether or not the minor consented to having sexual intercourse or whether or not, at the time of having sexual intercourse, he or she believed the minor to be 16 years of age or more.

‘And I must admit it, these days young girls and young boys mature very quickly and you see some girls on the street sometimes you think that they’re big women but they’re little children still. So that is one situation,’ Benjamin said, adding that the legislation will now provide for ‘a person who commits the offence …is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life’.

Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle, while expressing support for the bill, sought clarification on sections of the legislation dealing with sexual intercourse with minor employees.

‘So, Mr. Speaker, while I support the bill, Mr. Speaker, I think I need more clarity on section 8 of the bill, amendment of section 10, sexual intercourse with minor employees. Mr. Speaker, I don’t know about minor employees. I know you’re either a person who is of age to work, which is 16 legally, which I’m still supporting for us to look seriously at moving that age to 18.’

The amendments were subsequently passed by the House of Representatives.

Social and Urban Transformation Minister, Rawdon Turner, warned that Antigua and Barbuda is failing its children and calling on the public to believe children and report suspected abuse.

Turner said that since assuming responsibility for social services, he has been exposed to the reality of physical and sexual abuse experienced by children in the country, receiving reports received by the Family and Social Services Division about child abuse are deeply traumatising and have also affected the division’s director and social workers.

‘Somewhere along the line, the village decided that it was time to sexually assault and violate our children. I don’t say those words lightly,’ Turner said, outlining cases in which people convicted of sexually abusing very young children, some as young as three and five, received sentences ranging from three to five years.

He cited comparable cases from elsewhere in the Caribbean, stressing that the problem extends beyond Antigua and Barbuda.

‘Something is wrong with the administration of justice,’ Turner said, adding that as the father of a five-year-old, he is urging members of the public to break their silence.

‘You have to start believing the children…you could have protected that child. You could have protected their innocence,’ Turner said also calling on parents and teachers to overcome their reluctance to speak to children from an early age about their bodies and personal safety.

He said children should understand ‘what is a good touch, what is a bad touch, and not be afraid to speak up.’