The widespread condemnation that followed the public’s learning of the gruesome death of 16- year- old Neesa Gopaul is justified. The tale of the young girl’s life is too disturbing; and her death, even more so. Indeed, the young girl could have been saved had the police and the Childcare and Protection Agency done their jobs, and other stakeholders, including school officials and villagers, done their part to protect her. Neesa’s death resulted from a systemic failure to protect her. It is very disturbing that the girl, in the latter…
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Child protection
Editorial The Childcare and Protection Agency has come under fire for failing 16-year-old Neesa Gopaul, a teen whose troubled life, prior to her gruesome death, was known to them. Resultant from this case is information surfacing about the extent of work and the strain under which the agency works. It has been disclosed that the Human Services Ministry, which is responsible for the Childcare and Protection Agency, has received 3,175 reports of child abuse over the past three years. Subject minister Priya Manickchand said that “all were investigated”, but there…
Read MoreKissing regionalism goodbye
The current imbroglio that threatens the future of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) must be resolved urgently. If not, we are likely to face the humiliation of its collapse, which would be a major blow to regionalism. If a solution is to be found, regional leaders need to be reminded of the reason behind the court’s existence. Under the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, member states supported the restructuring of Caricom to include executive, legislative and judicial elements that are characteristic of a modern state. It was agreed that a…
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