Published 2 December 2017
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Consciences of civil society as heartless as
the murderers who terrorise St. Kitts and Nevis
Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 2, 2017 – “The consciences of civil society in St. Kitts and Nevis have become just as heartless as the murderers who terrorise our land.”
That is according to a national of the federation, who holds a high public office in the nation and who despatched his comment via email for it to be used on condition “of anonymity for fear of persecution.”
“This coalition which I voted for, promised in opposition, to do better when it formed the government. We have seen that although numerous consultants have been brought in and several overseas advisors and consultants hired and who are being paid hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars monthly, crime is increasing,” the individual said.
“This Team Unity Government has presided over an increase in murders since taking office. Twenty-two murders in 11 months of 2017; that is two murders per month, mostly young people and not even a whisper, a comment, a statement of concern from those who prior to February 2015 were active, almost every day on every issue and making statements and pronouncing on matters,” said the individual.
“We need them to step up to the plate. Just like how our calypsonians are seeing the light (like me), the membership of each civic society must be honest and move away from the darkness and ‘speak truth to power’ on behalf of the majority of our people,” the individual said.
St. Kitts and Nevis has recorded 22 murders for the year to date and on just one occasion, the Nevis Division of the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, expressed concern in August, when Nevisian businessman, Benjamin Joseph, was murdered in Nevis.
“Why the silence? Do they no longer care about humanity and the need to speak on matters that continue to affect our society? We see a steady erosion of our democracy as fear has gripped the soul and consciences of those who should be at all times protecting and speaking out on the injustices that are being perpetrated on individuals, segments of the society and community and the disadvantaged,” the individual said.
With 22 murders in the Federation to date, the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the St. Kitts and Nevis Bar Association, the St. Kitts Business Forum, the St. Kitts Christian Council, the St. Kitts Evangelical Association, the Nevis Christian Council, the Nevis Christian Council, the Nevis Teachers Union and the St. Kitts Teachers Union have all remained silent.
The record shows there has been no statement from civil society when Leon Gumbs was shot and killed in January; Luis Garcia, was shot and killed in February; the March murders of Ashton Christopher, Ashanafi Saddler, Rondell Chapman and Akeem ‘Ratty’ Bryan; the April murders of Morella Webbe, Elvis Lawrence and Shariff Williams[ the May killing of Gregory Mills; the June shooting deaths of Lydia Jacobs, Sean “Spajal” Smith Dennis “Bun Up” Liburd, Jahma Francis and Darnell Govia and the discovery in a shallow grave of missing 17-year-old Leanna Napoleon.
In July, Kishorne “Duppy” Edwards was shot and killed.
In October, Daniel Wilkinson and Mervin Flaherty were murdered and in November, Lincoln Liburd and Theon Audain were shot dead.
