Is anonymity enough?

Witness protection across the Caribbean

 

• Barbados

Passed the Criminal Proceedings (Witness Anonymity) Bill last month. Enables courts to grant anonymity orders (including live link, voice modulation, pseudonyms). The law is not yet in force, as it awaits proclamation by the President. No witness protection programme or relocation law currently exists.

• Trinidad & Tobago

Operates a full witness protection programme under the Justice Protection Act (2000). Includes relocation, new identities, safe housing, and inter-agency administration. Most developed in the region.

• Jamaica

Active witness protection programme since 2001 under the Justice Protection Act. Offers relocation, international cooperation, and aftercare. One of the most consistent systems.

• Guyana

Passed the Witness Protection Act in 2018. Still not operationalised. Regional model under discussion.

• St Kitts & Nevis

Legal framework in place under the Justice Protection Act, 2012. Also passed the Justice Interference Prevention Act in 2024 to penalise witness intimidation. No full programme in operation.

• Belize

Enacted Justice Protection Act (RJPP-based). Also passed Protection of Witnesses Act (2022) to expand anonymity tools. Full relocation is difficult due to size.

• The Bahamas

Justice Protection Act (2006) and Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Act (2011), amended in 2014 and 2018. Offers both anonymity and some procedural protection.

• Dominica / Grenada

Both have Protection of Witnesses Acts (2013–2014) with court anonymity measures (video link, screens). No formal relocation programme.

• Saint Lucia

In 2025, the government announced plans to introduce full witness protection legislation. Drafting is ongoing.

The Regional Justice Protection Programme (RJPP) was signed by CARICOM states in 1999, but remains largely unimplemented, despite renewed discussions in 2025 by the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP).