Tag: death penalty

columns2017

Poverty & Justice: a deadly mix

Post author By Web administrator
Post date October 8, 2017

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

For the rule of law, the death penalty represents a failure, as it obliges the state to kill in the name of justice. (Pope Francis)

On Tuesday, October 10, the World will observe the 15^th World Day Against the Death Penalty. The theme this year is: Poverty and Justice: a deadly mix. It “aims at raising awareness about the reasons why people living in poverty are at a greater risk of being sentenced to death and executed”.

CCSJ’s Chair is also Chair of the Greater Caribbean for Life (GCL), an independent, not-for-profit, regional civil society NGO working towards the abolition of the death penalty. Capital punishment remains in the legal system of 11 English-speaking countries in the region – of which two countries retain the mandatory death penalty for murder (T&T and Barbados).

Tags capital punishment, death penalty, poverty

Press Release

Focus on human development, not hanging

Post author By Web administrator
Post date April 3, 2017

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE GREATER CARIBBEAN FOR LIFE AND THE CATHOLIC COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

The Greater Caribbean for Life (GCL) and the Catholic Commission for Social Justice urge TT’s Government to focus on human development and crime prevention rather than expend time and energy in seeking to resume hanging.

Tags capital punishment, death penalty

columns2017

Build a culture of life – hanging is no cure

Post author By Web administrator
Post date March 26, 2017

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

Emotions are running high because of ‘runaway crime,’ and once again T&T finds itself in the throes of looking for ways in which to resume hanging. Sadly, this debate is taking place during our 40 days of non-violence. Our response to crime is a moral test for all of us.

Recently I was interviewed via telephone on Radio 102.1 on this issue and was able, once again, to outline the Church’s position on capital punishment.

Tags capital punishment, death penalty

Commentary

The Church’s position on the Death Penalty

Post author By Web administrator
Post date December 13, 2016

STATEMENT FROM THE ARCHBISHOP – Issued December 13, 2016

The Catholic magisterium in recent years has become increasingly vocal in opposing the practice of capital punishment. Pope John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae declared that “as a result of steady improvements in the organisation of the penal system,” cases in which the execution of the offender would be absolutely necessary “are very rare, if not practically nonexistent.” Again at St. Louis, in January 1999, the Pope appealed for a consensus to end the death penalty on the ground that it was “both cruel and unnecessary.” The bishops of many countries have spoken to the same effect.

Tags capital punishment, death penalty

columns2016

‘Justice must not seek revenge’ – AEC on death penalty

Post author By Web administrator
Post date October 9, 2016

The statement by the Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) on September 21 calling for the abolition of the death penalty in the region, is timely, particularly as tomorrow, October 10, the world will observe World Day Against the Death Penalty.

The statement should be read in conjunction with their brief statement issued on July 4 and with two of their pastoral letters, namely: (a) Jubilee Year 2000, Antilles Episcopal Conference Pastoral Letter on Capital Punishment; and (b) We are called to proclaim, celebrate and serve The Gift of Life, Pastoral Letter of the Antilles Episcopal Conference, Rome, March 29, 2008. I share hereunder extracts from the statement.

Tags capital punishment, death penalty