Gang violence is a growing toll in lives, threatens Caribbean economy, says UNDP
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Art PRWEB) 8 February 2012
Crime has become one of the major challenges facing the economy and the diversity of the Caribbean countries, but the right mix of policies and programs can stop the problem, the Caribbean Human Development Report 2012 launched here today by the United Nations Development Programme UNDP).
Human Development Report, a shift to better citizens’ safety, said that with the exception of Barbados and Suriname, and the murder rate in gang-related killings have increased dramatically in the last 12 years throughout the Caribbean, while falling or stable in other regions.
While murder rates are exceptionally high standards in the world, according to a report by Caribbean governments can reverse this trend, inviting regional governments beef public agencies to deal with crime and violence among the criminal justice system, while strengthening preventive measures.
violence limits peoples choices, threatens their physical integrity, and interferes with their daily lives, said UNDP Administrator Helen Clark reports on the launch ceremony in Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persada-Bissessar and UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Heraldo Mu ? oz.
This report emphasizes the need to rethink their strategies for solving problems of crime and violence and ensure safety in the field. We must follow the procedures that are centered on the safety of civilians and address the causes of this recent increase in violent crime, including social, economic and political isolation, Helen Clark said.
new study shows that Caribbean governments implement youth crime prevention through education, as well as provide employment opportunities aimed at the disadvantaged urban poor. The shift in focus requires the state, protection of public access to one that emphasizes public safety and participation, promote the implementation of fair, responsible, and more respectful of human rights.
Caribbean Development summary of the current state of crime and national and regional policies and programs to address the seven English-and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
address the problem
Latin America and the Caribbean are home to 8.5 percent of world population, the region is about 27 percent of the world’s murder. Although the number of murders in Jamaica fell after the report was completed in 2011, 1124, seven years is low, the country has the highest murder rate in the Caribbean and the third highest murder rate in the world in recent years, with about 60 killings of 100,000 people. This goes for just two of Central America, El Salvador and Honduras with 66 murders, and 82.1 respectively in 100,000 people, the report said, citing the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Problems of the characters. In Trinidad and Tobago, the report states that murder rates increased five times over ten years, more than 40 per 100,000 in 2008, then fell to 36 in 2010.
according to a report on gang related murder in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago is a significant and growing: the number almost doubled in both countries from 2006-2009. In 2006, Jamaica experienced the murder of 1303, of which 32.5 percent were gang related. By 2009, the number of murders increased by 377, 48.1 percent were gang related. In 2006, Trinidad and Tobago experienced the murder of 371 and 26.4 percent of gang related, in 2009 that the country has 506 murders, and 34.8 percent of gang related to
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Caribbean Community (Caricom) estimates show the costs of gang related crime between 2.8 percent and four percent of GDP in the region and the cost of police and the lost revenue from youth prison sentences and less tourism. According to research, crime cost Jamaica is one of over U.S. $ 529 million in lost revenue. In Trinidad and Tobago, one percent reduction in youth crime would increase tourism revenues of U.S. $ 35 million annually. For each additional gang community, the murder rate rose 10 percent, according to a recent study featured in the Caribbean Human Development Report.
Crime erodes confidence in the future, reducing the competitiveness of existing industries and services, for example, by putting onerous securityand can discourage investment, the report said. Education and health care also suffer when the funds were transferred to law enforcement.
following are the main recommendations of the report, resulting from extensive discussions with 450 employees, experts and managers reflect the large-scale survey 11 555 people in seven countries rated
? High of a violent crime can be a challenge to achieve a better balance between legitimate law and prevention, with emphasis on prevention;
? Governments should create or invest in more units to address gender-based violence and adopt more preventive measures to ensure that violence against women and girls are no longer tolerated;
? Due to the expense of social cohesion, crime, Caribbean countries would be better to deal with youth violence and street gangs, whose crimes are rarely prosecuted;
? Public safety requires community cooperation. Youth organizations and groups who are fighting for women’s rights, the rights of victims and human rights should become more active and the Government should commit to active participation of citizens.
research shows that citizens want government to focus on crime prevention and control. Nearly 90 percent of respondents support preventative measures such as increased investment in job creation and poverty reduction, education and other activities to build youth skills and abilities. At the same time, about 80 percent said that criminals should be punished more harshly. The study also showed that four out of 10 citizens think their country able to solve or better manage the uncertainty.
new study also shows another effect of crime generally go unreported, such as low academic achievement and illness among young people, physical and mental pain, suffering and injury caused by youth violence, reduced quality of life, many virtualization and negative stereotypes of youth as fuel more aggressive behavior in young people.
Notes:
Other key results
Caribbean HDR study with 11 555 people in seven countries in the assessment:
perception of safety:
? 46 percent said they feel very safe and secure in their homeland. The feeling of security is the strongest in Barbados (79 percent) and lowest in Trinidad and Tobago 25 percent).
? Nine percent of respondents were victims of crime last year.
? 12.5 percent of the population in the area of gangs in their neighborhood.
? 48 percent of respondents worry about ever being a victim of crime.
confidence in the police force
? Two-thirds (66 percent) say that citizens trust the police to tackle crime
? Trinidad and Tobago, respondents had the least confidence in the police (53 percent compared to a lot or some confidence in the police) and the lowest ratio of police performance (only 17 percent rate the police as good or very good in controlling robbery, and 17 percent for burglary).
Citizens Participation
? 56.6 percent of those polled were willing to work with others to reduce violence in their countries.
? 72 percent said that their community has done little to combat crime in the previous year.
Gender-based violence
? Some 11 percent have experienced domestic violence, the Al
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