Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: State protection available to people who receive death threats; procedures to file a complaint
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Publication Date | 12 February 2010 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | VCT103399.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: State protection available to people who receive death threats; procedures to file a complaint, 12 February 2010, VCT103399.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e43a2592.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Information about the availability of state protection for people who receive death threats in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the procedures to file a complaint was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
Sources indicate that making death threats is a crime in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVGHRA 9 Feb. 2010; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10 Feb. 2010). In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate on 10 February 2010, the Assistant Superintendent of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force stated that there is a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment for making threats against ordinary citizens and a maximum of ten years' imprisonment for making death threats against high-ranking officials. According to the Assistant Superintendent, making threats can also be punished with a reprimand, a fine or a shorter prison sentence (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10 Feb. 2010). In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate on 9 February 2010, a representative of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association (SVGHRA) similarly indicated that the Criminal Code of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ascribes a punishment of imprisonment or a fine for making death threats.
Sources indicate that to file a complaint against someone who has made death threats, the victim must go to the police (SVGHRA 9 Feb. 2010; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10 Feb. 2010). According to the Assistant Superintendent, the matter can be reported by telephone or by making an official statement at the police station (ibid.). The Representative of the SVGHRA stated that the police refer the matter to the Magistrate's Court in typical cases, to the Family Court in cases involving threats between family members, or possibly to the High Court in cases involving high-profile people (9 Feb. 2010).
The Assistant Superintendent indicated that the police go to see the person who made the threats (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10 Feb. 2010). According to the Representative of the SVGHRA, the police sometimes act as an intermediary and issue warnings to people who make threats (9 Feb. 2010). In addition, she stated that the police can detain a person who has made threats and hold him or her for up to 48 hours (SVGHRA 9 Feb. 2010). The Assistant Superintendent indicated that if there is enough evidence against the person making threats, he or she is arrested and taken to court (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10 Feb. 2010).
The Representative of the SVGHRA stated that authorities typically do not prosecute people who make threats if there is no bodily harm to the victim (SVGHRA 9 Feb. 2010). She expressed the opinion that authorities do not attach the appropriate level of seriousness to complaints of death threats (ibid.). This information could not be corroborated among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
The Assistant Superintendent stated that the police rarely provide protection to ordinary citizens who receive death threats, but that security is increased for high-ranking officials (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10 Feb. 2010). The Representative of the SVGHRA noted that the police do not have enough manpower to provide protection to people who have received threats (9 Feb. 2010). She suggested that people with personal connections or with a high status in society may be able to access greater protection from the police (SVGHRA 9 Feb. 2010). This information could not be corroborated among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
Amnesty International (AI) and the International Bar Associations' Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) report that in 2008, the President and other members of SVGHRA received death threats because they were representing a female police officer in a high-profile rape charge involving the Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves (AI 7 Feb. 2008; IBAHRI 20 Apr. 2009). Both organizations called on the authorities in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to conduct a "thorough investigation into the threats" (AI 7 Feb. 2008; IBAHRI 20 Apr. 2009). In addition, AI urged authorities to provide protection to the SVGHRA President and her colleagues (AI 7 Feb. 2008). According to the Representative of the SVGHRA, members of the SVGHRA and the Bar Association reported receiving the death threats to the police during this time, but did not receive any police protection (SVGHRA 9 Feb. 2010). However, the Representative noted that the judge arbitrating the case received police protection (ibid.).
In July 2008, the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) reported that Trinidad and Tobago sent law enforcement officials to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to assist in an investigation into death threats made against the Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves (CMC 4 July 2008).
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
Amnesty International. 7 February 2008. "Fear for Safety." (AMR 57/001/2008)
Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC). 4 July 2008. "St. Vincent Premier Briefs Colleagues on Death Threats." (BBC Monitoring Americas/Factiva)
International Bar Associations' Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI). 20 April 2009. "St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Harassment of Nicole O. M. Sylvester."
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 10 February 2010. Criminal Investigation Department, Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. Telephone interview with the Assistant Superintendent.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association (SVGHRA). 9 February 2010. Telephone interview with a representative.
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sources, including: European Country of Origin Information Network (ecoi.net), Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, Legislationline, Office of the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Refworld, the Unites States--Department of State, The Vincentian [Kingstown].
