Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Criminal activity, including government response; state protection available to witnesses and victims of crime, including those targeted by gangs (2008-March 2013)

1. Criminal Activity

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association (SVGHRA) indicated that criminal activity is of "great concern to all Vincentians" (SVGHRA 27 Mar. 2013). The SVGHRA representative said that gang violence, drugs, theft, and larceny are "quite prevalent" (ibid.).

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which, for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, uses statistics from the Organization of American States (OAS) and the NGO the Coalition for Development and the Reduction of Armed Violence, the rate of intentional homicide in St. Vincent and the Grenadines was 24.7 per 100,000 population in 2008, 18.3 in 2009, and 22.9 in 2010 (UN 2012). OAS statistics show that the rate for men was higher, with 30.9 per 100,000 population in 2009 (OAS n.d.).

The OAS statistics show that, in 2010, the rate of assault was 1,194.5 per 100,000 population (ibid.). UNODC figures show this to be an increase from the 2009 rate of 1,111.9 per 100,000 and the 2008 rate of 931.5 per 100,000 (UN 2011a). The OAS states that, in 2010, 3,295 per 100,000 population were in prison, and 84 percent of these people had not yet been tried (n.d.).

1.1 Drugs and Firearms

According to a 2009 report prepared by Annita Montoute and David Anyanwu for the Coalition for Development and the Reduction of Armed Violence and entitled A Situational Analysis of Gun Related Crime in the Caribbean: The Case of Trinidad & Tobago; Antigua & Barbuda; St. Vincent & the Grenadines and St. Lucia, statistics from the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force show that there were 166 firearms offences in 2008 and 81 in 2009, including murder, robbery, and wounding (Montoute and Anyanwu, 46). The report adds that the 2008 figure is "quite high" for a population of 104,574 (ibid.).

Sources say that marijuana is cultivated on a "wide scale" in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Montoute and Anyanwu Dec. 2009, 43; St. Vincent and the Grenadines 17 Feb. 2011, 21). According to the March 2013 US International Narcotics Control and Strategy Report, the majority of cannabis cultivation in the country takes place in the mountainous region of St. Vincent (US Mar. 2013, 151). Sources indicate that some farmers have been cultivating marijuana due to challenges in the banana industry (COHA 20 July 2010; St. Vincent and the Grenadines 17 Feb. 2011, 21), which have resulted in "unemployment, rural poverty and sudden social dislocation" (ibid.).

Sources note links between the drug trade and illegal firearms (St. Vincent and the Grenadines 17 Feb. 2011, 21; Montoute and Anyanwu Dec. 2009, 43). A 2009 UN press release, reported by US Fed News, indicates that, according to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, "drug production was orchestrated by heavily armed drug barons and gangs" (9 Oct. 2009). According to a St. Vincent and the Grenadines government statement to the 41st Regular Session of the General Assembly of the OAS, drug trafficking and firearms smuggling are usually controlled by criminal gangs and other criminal organizations that operate across borders (OAS 6 June 2011).

In October 2009, a government representative, speaking before the UN Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural), indicated that the 32 islands that make up St. Vincent and the Grenadines were "patrolled by 'a mere handful' of coast guard vessels" and added that the justice system was "crowded with drug-related crimes and criminals" (US Fed News 9 Oct. 2009). According to the US International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is drafting a National Drug Plan, has established a new forensic drug laboratory which has helped expedite prosecutions, and its Financial Intelligence Unit helps to monitor money laundering and identify traffickers (US Mar. 2013, 151). The report indicates that a major trafficker was convicted on drug and money laundering charges arising from a 2008 seizure of 1.73 million dollars (ibid., 152). Government sources also report a drug raid that uncovered 700,000 marijuana plants and an even greater number of seedlings (US Fed News 9 Oct. 2009; OAS 6 June 2011).

According to a 17 February 2011 St. Vincent and the Grenadines report submitted to the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has established outreach programs that include radio and television programs, an interactive school program called the Drugs Awareness Resistance Education Programme (DARE), and outreach through a counselling service to young men "who may be predisposed to criminal activity" (21).

1.2 Gangs

In a 10 April 2013 telephone interview with the Research Directorate, the SVGHRA representative provided all of the information in this section except for the last paragraph.

There are "a lot of gangs" in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including all-male gangs, mixed-sex gangs, and two all-female gangs. Some people belong to more than one gang. Most gangs are involved in drug activities, including in the production and selling of drugs. Some gangs grow drugs in the mountains.

There is conflict and rivalry among gangs. Gangs are violent, and killings, shootings, and stabbings are "very common." In 2009 or 2010, a man was "buried alive" by gang members, and his girlfriend was raped. Gang violence is usually related to drugs, such as when someone does not pay the money that they owe.

If gang members cannot find persons they are looking for, they will seek out the families of people they are "after," and may kill them. Gangs are also territorial, and if one gang enters another gang's territory, there will be a gang war. Gang wars can also stem from relationships, such as when two gang members are interested in the same woman.

A SVGHRA client was being targeted by a member of the Parliament Girls, an all-female gang that is engaged in drug activity and has perpetrated shootings, because of her relationship with a man. This woman was threatened with a gun, and when the SVGHRA client went into hiding, the Parliament Girl started threatening the client's friend. She had "no option" but to leave the country to escape the Parliament Girls. Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Police set-up a mobile police station on Paul's Avenue [Kingstown], where there was a great deal of gang violence, but the gang members moved and the violence spread to another community. Now there is a mobile police station at the marina due to high rates of gang violence.

Also, some "drug lords" are being arrested; three are serving sentences and one is awaiting a sentence, but this has not reduced violence. People may be "targeted" by "drug lords" or the government if they "speak out" publicly. For example, if someone names gang members in public in certain areas, they could be killed. Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Searchlight newspaper reports that there is gang violence in schools, adding that "teachers no longer feel safe at school and are targets of attacks, not only from students, but outsiders, and … parents as well" (24 June 2011). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

1.3 Theft, Robbery, and Burglary

According to the OAS, in 2010, police recorded 1,744 thefts (excluding vehicle theft), 1,724 burglaries, and 15.6 robberies per 100,000 population (n.d.). UNODC statistics on police-recorded thefts, burglaries and robberies, per 100,000 population, are as follows:

Year Thefts (UN 2011b) Burglaries (UN 2011c) Robberies (UN 2011d)

2008 1,583.7 1,013.9 43

2009 1,688.5 1,397.5 62.2

2010 1,738.7 1,576.8 15.5

"A 25 February 2008 article in Yachting Monthly, a British yachting magazine (n.d.), reported that armed men were robbing yachtsmen at Chateaubelair, in Petit St. Vincent, Union Island, Wallilabou and Young Island.

1.4 Human Trafficking

All of the information in this section was taken from the US Department of State's 2012 Trafficking in Persons Report - St. Vincent and the Grenadines (19 June 2012).

"St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a source, transit, and destination country for some men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking." People working in prostitution and in agriculture, which includes marijuana production, are at high risk of trafficking. Although the government "does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking … it is making significant efforts to do so," including enacting legislation against trafficking that contains "strong victim protection measures" and establishing an anti-trafficking police unit. During the reporting period, there were no forced-labour or forced-prostitution investigations, prosecutions, or convictions. The government "made progress in establishing victim protection policies." However, the government did not have formal procedures for the identification of possible victims, and did not proactively identify any suspected victims of human trafficking.

1.5 Sexual Violence

The OAS statistics indicate that, in 2009, the rate of sexual violence was 187.2 per 100,000 population, and that, in 2010, there were 25.7 rapes per 100,000 population (n.d.). According to the US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011, government, human rights, and media sources indicated that the incidence of rape increased in 2011 (24 May 2012, 8). The UNODC states that, in 2008, 10.1 persons per 100,000 were "brought into formal contact with the police and/or criminal justice system, for rape," and, in 2009, this number increased to 21 per 100,000 (2011e). Country Reports 2011 says that, although police were "generally responsive" to complaints of rape, "fear of reprisal may deter some victims from seeking assistance" (US 24 May 2012, 8). According to Country Reports 2011, rape cases were "difficult to prosecute, as witnesses were reluctant to testify," although "a number of cases" were prosecuted (ibid.). Country Reports 2011 adds that, according to data that was available from two of three court sittings, 26 sexual offense cases were heard in court, of which nine were completed (ibid., 9). In a 12 November 2011 article, the Toronto Star reported that, according to the SVGHA, in 2008, 36 cases of rape were reported to police, but none went to court. A police spokesperson, quoted in the article, indicated that perpetrators convince victims not to go to court (Toronto Star 12 Nov. 2011).

2. Prevention Programs

Montoute and Anyanwu said in their December 2009 report that, according to an interview with a police spokesperson, police and community organizations started a youth program in "crime infested communities, in the suburban areas outside Kingstown, including Ottley Hill, Eden Boro, and Redemption Sharpes" (51, 52). This program was started because of an increase in violent crime in these areas, and it consists of police and community leaders talking to youth and establishing groups, such as football teams, to engage youth (Montoute and Anyanwu Dec. 2009, 52). A police spokesperson indicates that there has been a decrease in violent crimes among youth in the areas with youth programs, although Montoute and Anyanwu state that "there is no statistical evidence to prove this …" (ibid., note 23). A police spokesperson also indicated that the National Crime Commission is "believed to have made a positive impact" on crime reduction through establishing groups, encouraging youth to participate in positive activities, and raising awareness of crime and crime prevention in the media and in schools (ibid., 53). Reportedly, there are Neighbourhood Watches in seven "commercial areas especially in locations with major hotels" with the aim of reducing burglaries (ibid., 52).

3. State Protection for Victims and Witnesses

Country Reports 2011 states that witnesses "sometimes refused to testify because they feared retaliation," which had a negative effect on prosecution (US 24 May 2012, 5). According to the March 2013 edition of Indictment, a US and UK-funded quarterly newsletter for investigators and prosecutors of organized crime prepared by the Criminal Justice Advisor to the Eastern Caribbean (Indictment Sept. 2011, 3), who is based at the British High Commission in Barbados (The Peaceful Caribbean n.d.), St. Vincent and the Grenadines does not have any provisions for witness anonymity, and under common law, a defendant must be able to see his accuser (Indictment, 11). On 13 September 2012, the Vincentian, St. Vincent's national newspaper, reported that a witness who was to testify against two murder suspects was killed. The Vincentian went on to say that the Director of Public Prosecutions "called for the formalization of a Witness Protection Programme" (13 Sept. 2012).

According to the SVGHRA representative,

"[b]asically, there are no protection services provided for victims of violent crimes [except for] instances that are 'few and far between' where the victim serving as a state witness may be sent to another Caribbean country until the case is heard and maybe the perpetrator is placed in jail." (27 Mar. 2013)

The SVGHRA representative stated that "Vincentians targeted by gang members, shot at or threatened by gang members are provided no protection by the state" and usually stay silent and do not even tell their family and friends for fear of "possible threat" on their lives or those of persons associated with them (27 Mar. 2013). The SVGHRA representative also said that gangs have connections on neighbouring Caribbean islands, and that victims can be found by the gangs on these islands (27 Mar. 2013). The SVHGRA representative added that there is "risk" in reporting crimes to the police, as victims would be "'marked'" and "'wanted'" by the perpetrator and his associates (27 Mar. 2013).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA). 20 July 2010. Colin Frederick. "Peril in Paradise: The Caribbean, the Fragile Third Border of the Drug Trade." [Accessed 2 Apr. 2013]

Indictment. March 2013. "Special Measures and Witness Anonymity in the Eastern Caribbean." Issue 6. [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

_____. September 2011. "The CJA." Issue 1. [Accessed 10 Apr. 2013]

Montoute, Annita, and David Anyanwu. December 2009. A Situational Analysis of Gun Related Crime in the Caribbean: The Case of Trinidad & Tobago; Antigua & Barbuda; St. Vincent & the Grenadines and St. Lucia. [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

Organization of American States (OAS). 6 June 2011. "Permanent Mission of St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Address by the Permanent Mission of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the 41st Regular Session of the General Assembly of the OAS." [Accessed 2 Apr. 2013]

_____. N.d. Secretariat for Multidimensional Security, OAS Observatory on Citizen Security - Data Repository. "Saint Vincent and the Grenadines." [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

The Peaceful Caribbean. N.d. "Dan Suter." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2013]

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 17 February 2011. National Report Submitted in Accordance with Paragraph 15(a) of the Annex to Human Rights Council Resolution 5/1. (A/HRC/WG.6/11/VCT/1) [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association (SVGHRA). 27 March 2013. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate by a representative.

_____. 10 April 2013. Telephone interview with a representative.

Searchlight. 24 June 2011. "School's Out, Gangs In?" [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

Toronto Star. 12 November 2011. Jennifer Yang. "Video: Is this Caribbean Idyll the Worst Place in the World to be a Woman?" [Accessed 2 Apr. 2013]

United Nations (UN). 2012. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). "Intentional Homicide, Count and Rate per 100,000 Population (1995-2011)." [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

_____. 2011a. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). "Assault at the National Level, Number of Police-recorded Offences." [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

_____. 2011b. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). "Theft at the National Level, Number of Police-recorded Offences." [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

_____. 2011c. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). "Burglary Breaking and Entering at the National Level, Number of Police-recorded Offences." [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

_____. 2011d. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). "Robbery at the National Level, Number of Police-recorded Offences." [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

_____. 2011e. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). "Total Persons Brought into Formal Contact with the Police and/or Criminal Justice System, for Rape." [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

United States (US). March 2013. Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. International Narcotics Control Strategy Report: Volume 1, Drug and Chemical Control. [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

_____. 19 June 2012. Department of State. 2012 Trafficking in Persons Report - St. Vincent and the Grenadines. [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

_____. 24 May 2012. Department of State. "Saint Vincent and the Grenadines." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011. [Accessed 2 Apr. 2013]

US Fed News. 9 October 2009. "Successful Fight Against Drug Trafficking, Transnational Oranized Crime Requires Interlocking National, Regional, International Strategies, Third Committee Told Debate on Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice, Drug Control Concludes." (Factiva)

The Vincentian. 13 September 2012. "A Witness Protection Programme." [Accessed 3 Apr. 2013]

Yachting Monthly. 25 February 2008. "Caribbean Crime-Wave." [Accessed 2 Apr. 2013]

_____. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 4 Apr. 2013]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to contact the High Courts of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Ministry of National Security, Air and Sea Port Development were unsuccessful. An attorney in St. Vincent, and the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force were unable to provide information within the time constraints of this Response.

Internet sites, including: American University - School of Public Affairs; Amnesty International; Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police; Caribbean News Now; CARICOM Secretariat; Globalsecurity.org; Human Rights Watch; Interpol; Jane's Intelligence Review, Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Monitor; Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; St. Vincent and the Grenadines - Ministry of National Security, Air and Sea Port Development; St. Vincent Tribune; Small Arms Survey; Transperancy International; United Nations - Human Rights Council, Refworld; United States Congresional Research Service.