‘Nonsensical’ – Curfew For Minors To Curb Crime Under Fire

In response to a surge in youth-related crimes, Antigua and Barbuda recently implemented a curfew for individuals under 18, restricting outdoor activity from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The move is intended to stop loitering and youth involvement in crime and will  hold parents accountable with fines of up to XCD 5,000 if their children violate the curfew. This curfew however has ignited significant debate on its effectiveness and constitutionality as other Caribbean nations, like Saint Lucia, grapple with similar issues. Among those criticising the measure is Rahym R. Augustin-Joseph, a Law Student at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Faculty of Law and a political commentator.  He thinks the policy is “an overly punitive and nonsensical approach,” arguing that it penalises many young people for the actions of a few. Augustin-Joseph questions the constitutionality of the curfew, specifically whether it infringes upon “freedoms relating to movement” and whether it can be justified as “necessary and proportional” to the goal of reducing crime. In his view, policies like the curfew could backfire, possibly driving youth crime into daytime hours or leading young people to avoid positive social interactions for fear of criminalisation. “I think it is trying to...