The increasing gang and drug-related murders in T&T is very worrisome for heads of the European Union delegation to T&T.
However, they strongly believe that the death penalty cannot put a damper to the crisis.
The issue of guns on the streets was also raised by the delegation during a media conference held at the EU’s office, Sagicor Financial Centre, Queen’s Park West, Port-of-Spain on Tuesday.
The conference was to bring awareness to Europe Day which was celebrated yesterday.
Ambassador to the United Kingdom Tim Stew said that there was enough evidence in the courts which suggests that juries are less inclined to find accused people guilty of murder when they know for a fact that the only penalty available to a judge is the death penalty.
“They are more inclined to let that person walk out of that court, event hough they may have done what they were alleged to have done,” Stew said.
He added that if there are a range of options available to a judge, they jury may be more inclined to see that justice is done by declaring a guilty verdict.
Stew further explained that the death penalty is not an effective death penalty especially to those into drugs- and gang-related crimes and criminal activities as the individuals themselves have already made up their minds that they are going to lose their lives by the hands of another drug dealer.
“So, it’s not a deterrent and the Government needs to think through these issues equally. The same goes for crimes of passion.
“We don’t think that’s the right answer but it’s not for us to tell you what to do. It’s your country and you can run it as you wish,” Stew said.
Head of the delegation, Ambassador Aad Biesebroek said there is need for dialogue, which they— the European Union leaders— are willing to sit and discuss.
Also present were Ambassador to Spain Javier Carbajosa; Ambassador to France Serge Lavroff, Kingdom of the Netherlands Ambassador Jules Bijl and Counsellor Deputy Head of Mission Germany Andreas Haack.