Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony plans to release the findings of an investigation into alleged extra-judicial killings by certain members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), early next month.
In his New Year’s Address on Sunday, the prime minister said “unfortunately” this matter “must be brought to conclusion in the days ahead”.
“I wish to confirm that the Government of Saint Lucia has received the report from the Team of Investigators. I confirm as well that the Cabinet of Ministers is deliberating on the contents and implications of the report. This address is not the occasion to share the findings with you but I intend to do so in a separate address in early February,” he said.
Members of the Force were accused of the extra-judicial killings between 2009 and 2011, during Operation Restore Confidence.
The United States had used the incident to cut back on aid to St. Lucia. In August 2013, the United States officially informed the St. Lucia government that Washington had suspended assistance to the RSLPF, citing human rights violations.
A ban was also placed on all St. Lucian police officers, including its chief Vernon François, who was, about a year ago, prevented from travelling to the United States to represent regional police commanders at a Conference of Black Police Officers in the United States.
A team of police officials from Jamaica was appointed to investigate the alleged police killings.