Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said that he is open to more informed discussion on the issue of changing the current age of consent.While speaking on radio on April 10, Gonsalves explained that the Joshua Government reduced the age of consent from 16 to 15 back in the 1960’s.And from ever since, the age of consent has remained at 15.“There are persons who say it should not be less than 18…some people say it should be 21,” he said.But in considering the age of consent, Gonsalves explained that there needed to be an age which is a balance between where…
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With the first ball expected to be bowled in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in just under two months, word is that construction is slightly behind schedule at the Arnos Vale Cricket Ground. According to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, one of the matters that he was concerned about was the platforms on which the lights are to be erected on.While addressing the issue on radio recently, Gonsalves explained that six platforms are to be constructed, on which another structure is to be constructed on to the foundation for the lights to be put in place. “They are…
Jeremy Alexander, a 42-year-old resident of Queen’s Drive said that he is going ahead with plans to take legal action against members of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) after he said that he was beaten by them for over an hour.An hour and a half is exactly the length of time that Alexander told ANN that the ordeal lasted. He explained that he lives and takes care of the property while the owners, who reside overseas are away and that the incident occurred on April 3 at the residence.The distraught man said that the officers…
Recently, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) took a step to amend various sexual offences under the Criminal Code. I commend SVG on this progressive step, as some stiffer penalties were passed for persons found guilty of certain sexual crimes. However, despite the increase in penalties for certain sexual offences, substantial constitutional and human rights concerns continue to plague the Criminal Code. Below, I will highlight 3 points. However, the issues raised are not exhaustive. Firstly, several sexual offences, on a plain or literal interpretation, continue to use language that is not gender-neutral. For example, under SVG’s current rape provision,…
One of the country’s top defense lawyers, Attorney Grant Connell, is urging for the implementation of modern and proper mechanisms to complement the recent increase in penalties for firearm-related and sexual offenses. Attorney Grant Connell stated on Wednesday that while he does not dispute the recent increases in penalties for those offenses, it is essential to ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place, including the way police investigate matters, to safeguard the rights of individuals before the Court. Connell emphasized that the establishment of a Forensic Department is an absolute necessity in making a significant difference in investigations, especially in…
The Parliament of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has passed, with bi-partisan support, stiffer penalties for some sex crimes by amending sections of which amends sections of Chapter 8 of the Criminal Code. With the exception for the penalty for rape which remains a maximum sentence of life in imprisonment, and the penalty for buggery which remains at 10 years and assault with intent to commit buggery at 7 years, here are the adjustments in brief: penalty for sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 15 years moved from maximum 5 years’ imprisonment to 15 years; maximum penalty…
There are quite a few voices preaching that the genocide in Gaza is not black people’s business. They hold this view for a multiplicity of “good” reasons, including the fact that Arabs were the first to practise mass enslavement of black people, from whom the Portuguese learnt, which then ballooned into the transatlantic slave trade. Further, apart from Gaddafi, Arabs have never supported the black man’s struggle, and are generally downright racist against us, maintaining slavery to this day. Yet, I stand with the Palestinians.Some Christians unashamedly support this genocide while others do so tacitly, remaining silent. They say Isarel…
He defends them before the court but Grant Connell has called for a crackdown on the “ignorance’ displayed by some mini bus drivers. Connell issued the call before newly appointed Senior Magistrate Tameka McKenzie at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday while representing two mini-bus drivers who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. They were fined and handed suspended sentences. Connell told the Court that the law says a person could be fined and confined for dangerous driving, but Magistrates seem to be lenient. The lawyer suggested that imposing a custodial sentence and suspending a driver’s licence for a period of…
The recent rally by the Unity Labour Party (ULP) was an attempt to distract Vincentians from its appalling record of broken promises and lack of progress. After 23 years in power, Dr Gonsalves and his minions were at the rally blaming the former New Democratic Party (NDP) government for their failure. This is clearly a sign of weakness on the part of Dr Gonsalves and the ULP. Dr Gonsalves’ ramblings Sunday night has demonstrated that he is tired, out of touch with the people and bankrupt of ideas. His style of politics is archaic. His transactional leadership style is obviously…
A job position is conventionally viewed as better if it brings a higher salary as compared to another. However, this is slowly beginning to prove a problem for some Vincentians who are being left behind and being replaced by other employees. Some of these employees taking their jobs are foreigners. Higher pay without proper dedication and deliverance of service is not adding up well for some local workers. Their inability to value opportunities and comply with agreements is backfiring on them. There is a recent culture of greed in this country like many other places which is accompanying development especially…