Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne has highlighted a host of issues facing the region and the world while calling on the international community to put aside their differences and work together for the common good. Among these challenges was the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition throughout the Caribbean.
Dr Browne made the remarks during his address at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly debate in New York yesterday, where he emphasised the threats to the region’s safety from illegal arms trafficking.
Referring to the hosting of a first symposium on crime as a public health crisis in T&T last year, Browne said the continued involvement of regional and international partners was crucial in quelling the influx of illegal guns.
“The proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition has contributed to unacceptable increases in the level of gun-related violence and fatalities in our small society and indeed across Caricom,” he said.
“In addition to our own efforts domestically, we continue to work with regional and international partners to free our citizens from the horrific human cost associated with the easy access to small arms and light weapons and their vicious use against citizens and their families.”
During last year’s symposium, several Caricom leaders including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Bahamas Prime Minister Phillip Davis, KC and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness lamented the role of the US in exporting arms to the Caribbean.
Browne in his remarks said he welcomed the participation of the US in quelling this issue, which he said “respected no borders.”
Remaining on concerns within the Caribbean, Browne also shifted focus to instability in Haiti, commending the establishment of an interim Haitian Prime Minister, Gary Conille and a Cabinet.
He also praised the Kenyan-led, UN-backed multi-national security support mission, but stressed the need for adequate funding for any long-term success.
Browne noted that while the US and Canada contributed the bulk of financial resources to the mission, he was disappointed that other countries did relatively little.
“Some relatively wealthy countries have either contributed drips and drabs or nothing at all.
“We appeal to the international community to contribute the necessary funding to support this crucially important venture.”
Referring to Haiti’s history, Browne also renewed calls for reparations in the region, as he argued that the role of colonialism and genocide against the first peoples shadows further development.
“Our foreparents were rooted out and dehumanised and their blood, sweat, tears and labour were extracted to build empires and beautiful castles, treasures which some of us pay money today to visit, photograph and admire.”
Browne also took note of the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine, the latter of which he said was “deeply troubling” to T&T.
He continued to advocate for a permanent ceasefire and unconditional release of hostages as a peaceful resolution could be addressed.