Cadiz opposed to hanging, suggests a return to 'family values'

A member of the People's Partnership (PP) Government publicly stated Sunday that in his opinion hanging convicted killers would is not the proper way to fight crime in Trinidad and Tobago.

International Trade Minister Stephen Cadiz said he believes what the country needs is a way to rebuild family values and the family unit. He says when this happens it will insulate future generations from engaging in criminal activities.

Social activist Verna St Rose Greaves, who is a strong supporter of the PP, also opposes hanging and has stated that if the government goes ahead with its plan to execute murderers she will withdraw her support.

Their views are in direct contrast to those of Works Minister Jack Warner who is the most vocal advocate of bringing back executions. Warner has asked Attorney General Anand Ramlogan to take all steps to ensure the country can restart the process.

And in New York recently Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said capital punishment for murder is the law in the country and suggested that it would be upheld.

Cadiz says the country cannot "hang our way" out of the crime problem. "We cannot shoot our way out of this problem. We cannot jail our way out of this problem. The only way this problem can be solved is if we rebuild the family unit.''

His focus is on family. "Make sure your children are there with you at least once a week if they are not there already. Make sure that your neighbours are there.

"The one way to get rid of the evils of this country is for us to do it ourselves, and the only way that this can be achieved was by the families and neighbourhoods coming together for a better and safer country,'' he said.