Dear Christine,
I am really not sure if your column is the best place for me to air my views concerning Government’s handling of Raul Garcia, but I needed an outlet and I have decided to share my thoughts on this matter with you.
I believe that the whole world is sitting back and waiting to see how we handle this case. Time and time again I see Government making a whole mess of this case.
I mean, how can we take this man out of one prison cell and put him in another? Over the past few months four people who were locked up (for a lifetime) for murder have walked free.
Yes, they have family members who gave them support and whose homes they were able to return to, but were their crimes any different from Garcia’s? Crime is crime. I believe that if those who take the lives of others can walk to real freedom, then Garcia should be given the right to walk away from the second prison he has been placed in.
When I read the reports in the DAILY NATION about the manner in which this human being is being treated, I was disappointed with all those in authority who are making decisions concerning Garcia.
The man did wrong 20 years ago and he has paid for his criminal act. Why are we prolonging his sentence? Why are we treating him this way?
Barbados, the whole world is looking on and I hope to God that none of our brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, fathers, mothers, nieces, nephews – or any relatives of ours – ever find themselves in a position such as Garcia’s.
To deny him the necessary comforts of life outside of HMP Dodds is a disservice. We speak of being a country that pushes human rights. We speak of being a country that relies heavily on tourism, yet as the whole world watches, we have a Government that has handled and continues to handle this matter in the worst way.
If anyone is going to speak to me about the laws of the land, then it would seem that our laws need changing.
To David Comissiong, I say, keep up the fight. Don’t give up. Dare to stand alone if you have to, but fight for Garcia. He has done wrong (like so many of us) and he has paid for his wrong. It’s not right to be treated so inhumanely. It’s wrong.
Barbados, the whole world is watching you and what you sow now, you will reap later.
Thanks, Christine, for allowing me to share this view with readers.
– Tamar K.
Dear Tamar K.,
I will not attempt to reply to your letter as it has spoken for itself.
– CHRISTINE