Hon. Attorney General and The Turks & Caicos Islands Bar Council on threats against members of the Judiciary

#Providenciales, October 22, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The Turks and Caicos Islands has always prided itself on being a peaceful society that enjoys a relatively low crime rate. In recent times, we have recognized a marked increase in indiscriminate criminal activity.  Sincere sympathies go out to those immediately impacted.

The imminent desire of all right minded law abiding persons is for perpetrators to be swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.  To this end, our law enforcement agencies have made the safety concerns of its citizens a top priority. 

In the interim however, the Bar Council, and the Hon. Attorney General have become increasingly concerned by the malicious and reckless manner in which members of the public have chosen to express their disappointment with the outcome of some criminal matters before the courts. 

Through the use of social media forums persons have been advocating for actual physical harm to members of the Judiciary as means of putting an end to the criminal activity.   

The Bar Council and the Hon. Attorney General strongly condemn any and all public attacks on the members of the Judiciary in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  We urge the public to exercise restraint and good judgment and to refrain from engaging in reckless discourse that purports to place judicial officers directly in harm’s way or encourage others to do so; such rhetoric only seeks to perpetuate more violence and lawlessness and undermines the rule of law in the Islands. 

By reason of their position, judges and magistrates are unable publicly to respond to criticisms and threats.  Judges are however entitled to public recognition of their uncompromising independence, public service and the dignity of their judicial office in the performance of their Constitutional duty. 

Respect for the rule of law, the Judiciary and law enforcement officers is a fundamental characteristic of any democratic society. We urge that person’s cease engaging in posting threatening and disparaging posts on social media or anywhere else against public officials generally including law enforcement and judicial officers.

Release: TCIG