Young criminals and presidential immunity

Mar 24, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
It is appalling to witness the tender ages of many of our recent felons. The ferocity of the crimes committed by very young persons is more than disturbing. We find the age range 14 -17 years old, being involved in quite a number of serious happenings. I feel that the criminal code needs tweaking to ensure that these youth be tried as adults and convicted and sentenced as such.
In a familiar jurisdiction even 13 year-olds once convicted are given long custodial sentences. I feel that this change will drive sufficient fear into these young ones and serve as a deterrent so that they will think many times before allowing themselves to be drawn into criminal situations. The administration needs to look into this area of development and take appropriate action.
On another issue; I grew up with the knowledge that once a person was invited by a policeman to visit a police station for some enquiry, it was mandatory that that person complied with the request. The person had the choice of going alone or in company of an attorney. What Drs. Jagdeo and Luncheon did recently was offensive and contemptuous. The arresting officers should have placed both men in restraint and then lead them away to the police station. In any other jurisdiction this would have been done. None of us is above the law. We are all subject to the law and must obey at all times.
The notion of absolute immunity for state leaders and diplomats is a fiction. There is sufficient case law worldwide to show that immunities can be stripped by both the legislative and judicial arms of the state. It happened in Bosnia, Liberia and Rwanda and quite recently, South Korea was stripped of her immunity and will shortly face serious charges concerning her tenure as head of that state. Dr Jagdeo’s recent alleged tirade at Babu Jaan brings into sharp focus his immunity which to my mind is strippable. This is one person of whom an example should be set.
Cyril Walker

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