National Security Minister, Hermangild Francis, has called for the age of criminal responsibility within Caricom States to be standardized.
The Minister’s comments follow reports that the government of Antigua & Barbuda has discussed with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), plans to push the age of criminal responsibility, now at eight years, up to the age of twelve, which is on par with Saint Lucia.
In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines the age of criminal responsibility is eight, while in Guyana it is ten, according to Child Rights International Network.
“I think it is time that Caricom takes an approach that is holistic so that all the Caricom countries have similar legislation that is standard,” Hermangild Francis explained.
He asserted that standardized legislation would make it easy for Prosecutors and other legal persons.
The National Security Minister believes that having twelve as the age of criminal responsibility in Saint Lucia is “good enough” for now.
Leave a Reply