Is the death penalty still a valid form of punishment in the 21st century? While many still believe so, there is also a growing momentum to do away with capital punishment. It is with this critical question in mind that a virtual debate on the merits and drawbacks of capital punishment and its relevance in Trinidad and Tobago is being held on Friday October 8th, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Members of the public are invited to participate in this interactive dialogue, which will be streamed live on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panellists – both well-known local activists on both sides of the divide. Ms Leela Ramdeen, Attorney at Law and Chair of ‘Greater Caribbean for Life’, will present the case for abolition of the death penalty, while making the case for the retention of capital punishment will be prominent attorney Mr. Israel Khan. Well-known veteran journalist, Mr Andy Johnson, will moderate the debate.
Guest speaker at the event will be Mr Salvador Tinajro Esquivel, Coordinator for International Law, Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Government of Mexico. Mexico abolished the death penalty in 2005, and Mr Esquivel will explain Mexico’s rationale for the abolition.
The debate is being facilitated by a group of Embassies including, the Australian High Commission, the Delegation of the European Union and EU Member State embassies with a presence in Trinidad and Tobago – Embassy of the French Republic, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain – the British High Commission, the Embassy of the United Mexican States.
Members of the public wishing to join the event and including to ask questions of the panellists may do so via the following social media platforms:
YouTube – https://youtu.be/1MK6ptkRX-I
Twitter – https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1kvJpArAXWaxE
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/EUinTandT/videos/414303030059354/