On August 24, a delegation led by the Italian Vice...

On August 24, a delegation led by the Italian Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies' Committee on Foreign Affairs Enzo Trantino, and composed of Ambassador Claudio Moreno, and Hands Off Cain's representatives Sergio D'Elia, Secretary, and Elisabetta Zamparutti, Director of UN initiatives, had separate meetings with the President of the Parliament Matthew V. Roberts, Interior Minister John L. Velon, and Foreign Minister George W. Odlum.The President of the Parliament said that the courts usually take a long time to issue a death sentence which is often commuted. In Saint Lucia, where public opinion is in favor of the death penalty, there are 8 people under death sentence, 7 of whom have had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment as a result of the Pratt & Morgan case. Therefore, only one person actually risks the death penalty. The President of the Parliament also emphasized the fact that there is a lack of resources to implement alternative penalties.The Interior Minister told the delegation that the Pratt & Morgan decision, which he completely endorses, sparked a nationwide debate. The Minister does not consider the death penalty a deterrent unless it is swiftly applied. He also said that there is a need to begin educating public opinion to abolition, adding that it would be hypocritical to take an international position that differed from the country's national stance.The Foreign Minister said he was personally in favor of the abolition of the death penalty, but also stressed the high criminality rate due to drug trafficking and the violence in American programs shown on TV. The Minister said that Saint Lucia is in the process of implementing policies that would ensure law and order.