Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar made it clear Thursday that the death penalty by hanging is one of the laws of Trinidad and Tobago and the People's Partnership Government will abide by that law.
Persad-Bissessar was speaking at the post-Cabinet press conference at the Coco Reef Hotel in Tobago. "Hangings were never on hold," she said. "It's the law and the statute books say this is the final penalty, so we will abide by it," she added.
She said the Government is currently looking at "the categorisation" of murders and the degree of murders, as well as the number of people on Death Row who are scheduled to be hanged.
She said the death penalty has to be reviewed as it pertains to the type of murder committed. "Why it should be the death penalty is the final penalty for every homicide?" she asked.
"The decision has to be a collective one of the Cabinet and should be discussed by the Cabinet and shared with the national community," Persad-Bissessar said.
"We will act according to the rule of law. There is nothing wrong with people having personal views on issues, but at the end of the day it is the collective view that is the important one," she said.
The Prime Minister added that it is wrong for anyone to suggest that there is a "divide" in the partnership just because people have differing views on the death penalty.
"I want to give the assurance, I have absolutely no reason to believe that there is any crack, or split, or mashing up of the People's Partnership Government.
"At the same time I reiterate we are human beings and we will have differences of opinion, but none of those thus far have been sufficient, of such great importance to cause split or mash up of the Partnership," she said.
The hanging issue has become a subject of debate in the country with even members of the cabinet having opposition views. Works Minister Jack Warner has insisted that he will not back down on his position that convicted killers must hang.
On Wednesday, Justice Minister Herbert Volney suggested that should killers should be hanged in Woodford Square in Port of Spain for the public to see.
However, International Trade Minister Stephen Cadiz has said that is the wrong approach to solving the country's crime problem.
Social activist Verna St Rose-Greaves also opposes hangings and had said if the government goes ahead with it she would withdraw support for the partnership.
She has not changed her mind on the matter, but told the Trinidad Express that the Prime Minister has little choice but to obey the laws.
"I empathise with her position and I know she has a lot of support which she may not be aware of. I am willing to support her in any alternative way and I think we can start having discussions to remove capital punishment from the law books."
St Rose-Greaves didn't wish to get into "any argument with the Prime Minister". However she told the paper,"if anyone is executed in this country, I will not, will not, will not in good conscience be able to live with myself".
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