In a significant step towards advancing criminal justice reform, the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, in partnership with the UNDP Partnership of the Caribbean and the European Union (EU), has successfully hosted a transformative workshop on Restorative Justice, Criminal Mediation, and Child Justice. The event, which took place from 11th to 13th, November,2024, marks a pivotal moment in St. Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to modernising its criminal justice system.
This training was part of the PACE Justice Project, funded by the EU, which spans eight Caribbean nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Aimed at reducing case backlogs and increasing judicial efficiency, the project promotes restorative justice and alternative dispute resolution methods to provide fairer outcomes and build a more inclusive justice system.
The workshop highlighted the nation’s ongoing efforts to align with the Commonwealth Declaration on Access to Justice and the Needham Point Declaration on Criminal Justice Reform, both of which focus on enhancing access to justice and promoting peaceful societies.
Addressing Systemic Issues in Criminal Justice
St. Kitts and Nevis, through this collaboration, seeks to reduce its court case backlog, enhance judicial processes, and strengthen the rule of law. The PACE Justice Project is structured around three core areas: Enhanced Technology and Infrastructure, Stakeholder Empowerment and Capacity, and Improved Processes, Procedures, and Coordination.
Training Sessions and Stakeholder Involvement
The training sessions, which saw the participation of key players from across the justice sector, including the Mediation Department, Attorney General’s Chambers, prison and police services, and the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs, focused on several critical areas. Key topics included:
- Principles of Restorative Justice: Practical strategies for integrating restorative justice into the Caribbean context to promote healing and reconciliation.
- Best Practices in Child Justice: Approaches to support children in conflict with the law, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration.
- Criminal Mediation Techniques: Conflict resolution methods aimed at reducing the adversarial nature of criminal proceedings and offering alternative dispute mechanisms.
A Collaborative Approach to Justice Reform
The training was designed not only to empower participants but also to ensure that St. Kitts and Nevis can develop sustainable, long-term solutions for its justice system. The collaborative nature of the event reflects the Dr. Terrance Drew-led government’s dedication to enhancing legal processes and creating a responsive system that serves all members of society.
As part of the broader reform agenda, this workshop supports St. Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, which advocates for peaceful, inclusive societies and effective, accountable institutions.
With these efforts, the island nation is making strides towards a more equitable and efficient criminal justice system, with hopes of improving access to justice.
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