Crime

St. Kitts – Nevis To Strengthen Money Laundering Laws

Money Laundering In The Caribbean

Dirty Money In The Caribbean

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
June 03, 2008 (CUOPM)

Lawmakers in St. Kitts and Nevis meet on Wednesday to approve legislation aimed at ensuring the Federation’s legal, law enforcement, financial and regulatory regimes are in compliance with international standards and increasing financial transparency within certain key institutions within the Federation.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty will introduce The Payment Systems Bill, the Bills of Exchange (Amendment) Bill, the Financial Services Commission (Amendment) Bill and the Financial Intelligence Unit (Amendment) Bill and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dwyer Astaphan will introduce the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill at Wednesday’s Sitting of the National Assembly.

The Payment System Bill establishes a comprehensive legislative framework governing the establishment, maintenance and functioning of the payment system operated by the St. Kitts-based Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). It provides for the direct participation by the Central Bank in payment systems not operated by it including non-currency union payments systems and addresses matters relating to the designation of a funds transfer system and a settlement system including the operation of standards within such systems.

Under this law, the ECCB will be empowered to issue directives to financial institutions which appear to or are actually engaged in conduct with respect to the payment system that results in or is likely to result in systematic risk or is contrary to the public interest relative to the integrity, effectiveness, efficiency or security of the payment system.

The Financial Services Commission (Amendment) Bill increases the efficiency of the Financial Services Commission by endowing the commission with powers to impose sanctions on financial institutions that are acting in a manner that violates safe prudential practices as set out in the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Anti-money Laundering Regulations, the Anti-Terrorism Act or similar legislation.

Read More

St. Kitts & Nevis Join OAS In Fighting Regional Crime

Orginization of American States Logo

Orginization of American States 2008 Meeting

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
June 03, 2008 (CUOPM)

The peoples of the Americas have a right to expect a deeper engagement and a heightened leadership role from the Organisation of American States (OAS) with regard to crime and violence, their number one social challenge.

This is the view of St. Kitts and Nevis Minister of Foreign Affiars, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris.

Addressing the 38th Regular Meeting of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Medellin, Colombia, which has as its theme, “Youth and Democratic values,” Minister Harris challenged the Western Hemispheric body to intensify its efforts to work with and support member states in their elaboration of sound policies and focused programming an issue “of such burning hemispheric concern.”

Minister Harris made reference to the efforts being made by the Governments of St. Kitts and Nevis and other Caribbean countries including a special Summit on crime and violence which was held in Trinidad in early April.

He referred to the work of the Caribbean Civil Society Organizations and to the Meeting of Health Ministers of the Hemisphere in Mexico in March 2008, where the Declaration on Violence and Injury Prevention was adopted.

But, Minister Harris said: “The peoples of the Americas have a right to expect that the OAS, working in unison with Inter-American partners, with other regional and international agencies, and with member and observer states, would intensify its efforts to work with and support member states in their elaboration of sound policies and focused programming on an issue of such burning hemispheric concern.”

He said that he was aware that Secretary General Insulza, has convoked a meeting of Hemispheric Ministers with Responsibility for Public Security to be held in Mexico this coming October, and that violence prevention will be foremost on the  agenda.

Dr. Harris noted that it will be the first such Hemispheric meeting of highest level authorities on Public Security and congratulated The Secretary General on this initiative.

Read More

St. Kitts – Nevis PM Speaks Out On Raising Children

KANA Mother's Day Gala In New York

KANA Mother’s Day Gala In New York
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
May 15, 2008 (CUOPM)

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas says that the main challenge facing mothers the world over today is finding a way to steer their children from the pull of powerful interests who glamorize crass materialism, sensationalize sickening violence, and encourage mindless vulgarity.

“This is a gargantuan task, one that will require all our involvement, and in this struggle, women will have a very special part to play because of the special skills, the special wisdom, the unique spiritual strength with which the Universe clearly imbued the women of this earth,” Dr. Douglas told nearly 250 persons attending the annual Mother’s Day Gala organised by Kittitians and Nevisians Association (KANA) in New York on Sunday and held under his distinguished patronage.

Pointing out that the Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis and the World are at a cross-road, Dr. Douglas said there is something about the way that human beings have been interacting, behaving and relating all around the world that have not created the best results that are needed.

“There is something about the way young people are being raised that is not quite right.  And so, in London, in New York, in Brussels, in the Caribbean, and all over the world, young people are showing the signs of emotional and spiritual distress. Not each and every one of them, of course,” said Prime Minister Douglas, adding: “In St. Kitts and Nevis and throughout the Caribbean we have countless young people for whom life seems a straight and highly manageable road.  But there is no denying that, globally, there are more young people in crisis today than ever before.”

Read More

Commonwealth Youth Ambassador Decries Youth Stereotyping

Commonwelath Youth Ambassador - Anselm Caines

Commonwelath Youth Ambassador – Anselm Caines

Charlestown, Nevis
May 02, 2008

Commonwealth Youth Ambassador Alternate for St Kitts – Nevis Mr. Anselm Caines decried the stereotyping of young people which he said denied them of their individuality and prevented them from reaching their full potential. Mr. Caines made the statement while he delivered the feature address at the closing ceremony to mark the end of youth month 2008 at a recent rally.
 
“We have to dump the stereotyping of young people which denies them their individuality and prevents us from seeing their potential for greater things. Moreover, there are times that we have to be prepared to accept that our experience however great, it is does not necessarily make us qualified or determined their course of development. So often I hear the older adults speak about how it was in their time and how this young generation is going,” Mr. Caines said.
 
Mr. Caines at the time represented youths on Nevis and spoke on the topic of Youth Development to government and non government leaders of Nevis. He called on them to recognise the fundamental flaws in matters related to youths.
 
He said the many problems surrounding youths were debated as a youth problem, which implied something was fundamentally wrong with young people. He admitted that while there were exceptions, the energy and enthusiasm of young people were misinterpreted.
 
He further added that the youths of this era continued to experience rapid changes unlike previous generations which had contributed to the difficulties young people have encountered.

Read More