Ministry of Equity bemoans violence in Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia: Joachim Henry, Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister; is again lamenting the callous view of and lack of appreciation for life, exhibited mainly by the nation’s youth, that he says has resulted in the wanton and senseless acts of crime and violence in Saint Lucia.

The Minister shared the comments on the heels of mounting incidents of gun and other violent crimes that have so far left a significant number of Saint Lucians dead.

“As a nation, we desperately need to remind the people who are engaging in these senseless acts of violence that LIFE, as we know it, is naturally short for all of us and that we are only making it even shorter when we constantly turn to the gun and cutlass and other violent means to resolve conflict,” Minister Henry mentioned.

Minister Henry reflected on the island’s relatively small population and bemoaned the fact that, as a country, so many of the nation’s promising individuals with the capacity to contribute meaningfully to society were being cut short due to needlessness and senseless acts of violence.

“We are not a large population. On the world scene, there are just a few here on the island and a handful in the diaspora. We are not a nation at war for gold, oil, or other natural resources or in conflict with other nations. Based on that fact, the killings we are witnessing almost daily are absolutely not necessary and must stop,” stated Henry.

As Minister with responsibility for Ecclesiastical Affairs, Minister Henry underscored the precious nature of life, noting that “God has gifted life to us, and that humans were not created to take the lives of other humans.”

Minister Henry again called on all in society to learn to resolve conflicts and differences without violence. He said his Ministry would continue to spare no effort in designing and implementing social interventions to steer people and the most vulnerable in society away from crime and violence.