St. Kitts and Nevis: A Report on Vulnerabilities to Organized Crime, Corruption, and Money Laundering
Financial Crimes
Tax Evasion and Bank Secrecy Laws
- St. Kitts and Nevis is known for facilitating financial crimes, particularly tax evasion
- Strong bank-secrecy laws and lack of transparency regarding legal entities contribute to this vulnerability
Corruption
The Citizenship by Investment Programme
- Believed to facilitate systematic corruption and fraud
- Raises concerns about the legitimacy of the programme and its potential impact on the country’s reputation
Governance
Efforts to Improve Transparency and Accountability
- Legislation on freedom of information has been established
- An anti-corruption body is in place to investigate and prevent corruption
- Despite efforts, corruption remains a significant challenge for the government
Criminal Justice and Security
The Independence of the Justice System
- Appears to be independent, but investigations and successful prosecutions against organized crime groups are rare
Overcrowding in Prisons
- The penitentiary system faces overcrowding issues, which can lead to further security risks and challenges for law enforcement
Law Enforcement
Trust and Influence of the Political Elite
- Police have good levels of public trust, but there are indications that law enforcement may be influenced by the political elite
Economic and Financial Environment
Vulnerability to Money Laundering
- Strict secrecy laws and lack of transparency regarding beneficial ownership of legal entities contribute to this vulnerability
Civil Society and Social Protection
Victim and Witness Protection
- Minimal protection is available for victims and witnesses, making it difficult for them to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement
Prevention Programmes
- Positive results have been achieved in reducing the homicide rate through prevention programmes aimed at tackling the root causes of crime