I am in full support of the death penalty, says Eustace

Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace has said that he is in full support of the death penalty.{{more}}

Eustace, speaking on the New Times radio programme yesterday, Monday, August 22, said that he wanted to make his position on the death penalty very clear.

“I don’t want anybody to have any illusions about that; I have heard all the arguments that it is not a deterrent, but I want to know the proof,” Eustace said.

He made the comment as he reacted to the news that at least two family members of Stephmnie Daniel, who was fatally stabbed by her former boyfriend in Greiggs on August 15, had become severely traumatized as a result of the brutal killing.

“The kind of suffering inflicted on people, innocent people, is something I have difficulty dealing with,” Eustace said.

He further explained that he did not support all the issues about the Privy Council and the decisions they have made about it being against one’s human rights to execute the death penalty after an inmate has sat on death row for a period of time.

“I don’t support that. I am firmly in support of the death penalty.”

According to Eustace, too many young people were dying in this country, something he termed as a serious matter.

He said that on the issue of crime, it was everyone’s responsibility to deal with it.

“All of us have to get involved to reduce crime in this country. It is not just a matter for the police; the whole society has a role to play,” the Opposition Leader said.

He added that if the issue was not dealt with, crime could destroy the country, as it had far-reaching implications, including into the country’s tourism sector and future foreign investment.