A Proclamation by the Federation’s Governor General His Excellency Sir Tapley Seaton dated June 23rd, 2017 in which he indicated in an Extra Ordinary Gazette, Statutory Rules and Orders No. 10 of 2017, that he was advised by a Cabinet meeting of 22nd day of May 2017 to implement the provisions of Section 7 of the St. Christopher and Nevis Defence Force Act.
The relevant section gives the Defence Force soldiers “all the powers, authorities and immunities which are invested in a police constable by law.”
The proclamation in effect calls out the defence force for service in aid of civil powers with their arms and ammunitions, with effect from June 23rd 2017 for a period not exceeding 6 months. “And all our officers and loving subjects are hereby required to take due notice hereof and to give their ready obedience accordingly.”
Meanwhile Leader of Her majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Dr Denzil Douglas is concerned that the general public was not informed of a Cabinet decision to call out the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force “for service in aid of the civil powers with their arms and ammunition for six months.”
Dr Douglas told Freedom Fm that he received a copy of the Proclamation by the Federation’s Governor General His Excellency Sir Tapley Seaton dated June 23rd, 2017 in which he indicated in an Extra-Ordinary Gazette Statutory Rules and Orders No. 10 of 2017, that he was advised by a Cabinet meeting of 22nd day of May 2017 to implement the provisions of Section 7 of the St. Christopher and Nevis Defence Force Act.
The relevant section gives the Defence Force soldiers “all the powers, authorities and immunities which are invested in a police constable by law.”
Dr Douglas noted in particular that there has been no government release or statement on the decision of the Cabinet although the Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris has had the opportunity to inform the Nation during recent sittings of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly in which he used the occasion to address a number of matters he considered important such as the appointment of retired Major General Stewart Saunders as National Security Adviser.
This is a serious development as it is an indication that Dr. Harris and his Government have no confidence in the High Command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF).
While it is necessary that the Police and the Defence Force collaborate in the fight against crime, it is the withholding of information from the public, the lack of the requisite police training for the Defence Force, the risk of abuse of fundamental human rights of the citizens and residents of our country and collateral civilian causalities like what happened during the Tivoli Gardens (Jamaica) Massacre that have generated due concern on the part of the Opposition.
I also take particular note that the Proclamation to call out the Defence Force coincided with the official announcement by Prime Minister Harris that retired Major General Stewart Saunders of Jamaica, known for his involvement in the Tivoli Gardens (Jamaica) affair, has been appointed National Security Advisor for St Kitts and Nevis.
Dr Douglas told Freedom Fm news desk on Tuesday that Prime Minister Harris had the opportunity during the last sitting of the National Assembly to inform the general public of the intention to call out the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force.