News Releases

UWI Crime Symposium Panel Calls for Action to Combat Escalating Crime Crisis in Trinidad and Tobago

For Release Upon Receipt - April 18, 2024

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, April 18, 2024 - The Department of Political Science of the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) at The University of the West Indies (UWI) initiated discussions and urgent calls for action during its recent Crime Symposium titled “Simulating Solutions: Combating Crime and Criminality in Trinidad and Tobago,” held on Thursday, 21st March 2024 at The UWI St. Augustine Campus. The severity of the crime situation was underscored by the grim statistics presented during the symposium, namely in December 2022, the reported number of murders soared to an alarming record of 587, slightly decreasing to 555 in December 2023. Regrettably, the year 2024 has already witnessed over 125 murders, signalling a distressing trend of unabated violence.

 The symposium addressed the dire need for immediate action against escalating crime rates in Trinidad and Tobago. However, the panel of experts emphasized that proactive measures are critical to alleviating the crime crisis and that effective action demands a comprehensive approach which extends beyond collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community involvement in tackling the problem. In fact, Dr. Indira Rampersad, Head of the Department of Political Science, emphasized the critical need for reform of Trinidad and Tobago's criminal justice system, highlighting the symposium's aim for a comprehensive, multi-sector approach to confront the nation's escalating crime epidemic. "It is hoped that the solutions proposed by the distinguished panel of experts will serve as the cornerstone for a policy paper to be presented to the government of Trinidad and Tobago," she stated.

 The symposium convened a line-up of criminal justice experts and practitioners, including The Honourable Mr. Justice Winston Anderson of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ); Mr. Ugo Blanco, Resident Representative for the UNDP Multi-Country Office; Ms. Hasine Shaikh, Chief Public Defender for Trinidad & Tobago; Ms. Lynette Seebaran-Suite SC, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Law Association and Honorary Graduate of The UWI; Mr. Martin Lum Kin, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association; and Corporal Zaheer Ali from the Special Investigations Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. The gathering provided a crucial platform for these speakers to engage in discussions, share invaluable insights, and propose innovative solutions to confront the multifaceted challenges posed by crime and criminality in Trinidad and Tobago.

 Mr. Ugo Blanco, representing the UNDP Multi-Country Office, emphasized the imperative of data-driven strategies, stressing the necessity for baselines to gauge the effectiveness of interventions. Ms. Hasine Shaikh, Chief Public Defender, proposed several pivotal solutions to address the crisis, including a paradigm shift in the classification of murder, advocating for restorative justice for both adults and children within the justice system, and the reassessment of overly punitive sentencing options in favour of more rehabilitative approaches.

 The Department of Political Science at The UWI St. Augustine Campus extends thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the symposium and look forward to continued collaboration as we work together towards a safer and more secure Trinidad and Tobago.

 

 Moderator and Head of Department of Political Science Dr Indira Rampersad makes opening statements to preface lively discussions at the Crime Symposium, Simulating Solutions: Combating Crime and Criminality in Trinidad and Tobago.

 

 Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Dr Acolla Lewis-Cameron provides remarks at the Crime Symposium, Simulating Solutions: Combating Crime and Criminality in Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Moderator and Head of Department of Political Science Dr Indira Rampersad discusses statistics and presents data on domestic violence and the dynamics of gang activism while the panel consisting of [from left] Mr. Martin Lum Kin President of Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers' Association, Cpl. Zaheer Ali Special Investigations Unit TTPS, Mr. Ugo Blanco Resident Representative for the UNDP Multi-Country Office, Ms. Hasine Shaikh Chief Defender Trinidad and Tobago and Ms. Lynette Seebaran-Suite SC President of Trinidad and Tobago Law Association are all engaged at the Crime Symposium, Simulating Solutions: Combating Crime and Criminality in Trinidad and Tobago [missing panelist is The Hon. Mr. Justice Winston Anderson Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice].

About The University of the West Indies

 The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development, residing at the center of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for over 75 years.

 From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Global Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

 The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and the wider world.

 The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). Since The UWI’s 2018 debut in THE’s rankings, it has performed well in multiple schemes—among them including World University Rankings, Golden Age University Rankings (between 50 and 80 years old), Latin America Rankings, and the Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-being; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

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