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LAW AND ORDER :::: CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH just survive, live in constant fear, and be subject to intimidation, displace- ment, violence and trauma as gangs take advantage of the vulnerability of these children," said Frazier.
During her mission, the Special Representative was received by Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of the UN Integrated Of- fice in Haiti (BINUH), together with the UNICEF Representative, Geeta Narayan.
She also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, the Institut pour le Bien-Etre Social et de Recherches, the National Commission for Disar- mament, Dismantlement and Reinte- gration, the Special Representative of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), as well as representatives of the United Nations System, the diplomatic and donor community, civil society orga- nizations as well as children affected by violence.
Frazier welcomed that the protec- tion of children is at the center of the agenda for the government of Haiti and its partners and commended the government of Prime Minister Alix
Didier Fils-Aimé for its efforts in tak- ing concrete steps to protect children, including through the implementa- tion of the handover protocol signed with the United Nations in 2024.
She said that children under the age of 18 years encountered during secu- rity operations must be treated first and foremost as victims and swiftly handed over to child protection ser- vices for care, protection, and rein- tegration, in line with the existing handover protocol. For children who may have committed serious crimes during their association with gangs, juvenile justice standards apply with detention as the last resort, in line with Haiti's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and commitment to the Paris Princi- ples endorsed by the country. "There is a window of opportunity now to do the right thing as the GSF deploys. Security and child protection cannot be separated. Without protect- ing these children and supporting all children affected by violence, lasting stability in Haiti will not be possible," Frazier said, welcoming the GSF's ef- forts to put systems in place to protect children and train contingents on child protection.
al Roberts, a re- spected vol- leyball player and tennis coach, who was report- edly found dead at his apartment in Sunny Acres on Friday afcian sporting communities, where he was regarded as a dedicated athlete, coach, and contributor to youth and sports development. Reports out of Saint Lucia indicate that the matter is being treated as part of an active police investigation. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as inquiries continue.
For many across the Eastern Ca- ribbean, Roberts' passing represents not only the loss of a young life, but also the loss of a regional sports fig- ure whose work crossed national boundaries. As a Vincentian making an impact in Saint Lucia, he embod- ied the close sporting and cultural ties that bind the islands of the Caribbean. Community members and persons familiar with his sporting contribu- tions have begun expressing sadness over the news, describing the inci- dent as a painful moment for regional sports.
Police have urged that the investi- gation be allowed to take its course. Anyone with information that may assist authorities is encouraged to contact law enforcement in Saint Lu- cia.
Frazier, who visited transit centers operated by the government with support from UNICEF, acknowl- edged that reintegration of children from gangs is a major and multidi- mensional challenge for all parties in- volved, including the government and its partners. "All children I spoke with told me one thing: they want to go to school, play, learn and overall, simply be children," she added, underscor- ing the importance of education and learning as a core part of reintegra- tion.
ternoon.
According to regional reports, Roberts was discovered by his room- mate at approximately 2:00 p.m. and was found with multiple wounds. Emergency personnel were reported- ly called to the scene, where Roberts was later pronounced dead. Author- ities have not yet released full details on the circumstances surrounding his death, and no official information has been provided regarding any suspect, motive, or arrest at this stage.
Roberts was widely known in re- gional sporting circles, particularly for his involvement in volleyball and his work as a tennis coach in Saint Lucia. His death has sent shockwaves through the Vincentian and Saint Lucaribbeantimes.com
- By CMC
VINCENTIAN SPORTSMAN DARRION ROBERTS FOUND DEAD IN SAINT LUCIA; POLICE LAUNCH INVESTIGATION
SUNNY ACRES, SAINT LUCIA - Police in Saint Lucia have launched an investigation following the death of 31-year-old Vincentian nation-
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