CARICOM reacts to Norway tragedy

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has joined the international community in condeming the perpetrators of last Friday’s twin terror attacks in Norway.

The bombing at the government building in Oslo and a massacre at a youth camp on the island of Utøya killed at least 93 people in total. About 96 people were wounded.

In a statement issued over the weekend, CARICOM Chairman Dr. Denzil Douglas said the regional grouping was “horrified by the acts of terror”.

“In this time of shock and unspeakable grief, the Caribbean Community stands with the Government and people of Norway as they seek to come to grips with the effects of these traumatic events,” he said.

“The Caribbean Community offers its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the Government and people of Norway and wish a full and speedy recovery to all who were wounded or injured.”

Dr. Douglas said CARICOM is certain that “the innate strength, the exemplary openness and the spirit of solidarity which are so characteristic of Norwegian society will serve as a well-spring of resolve for the people of Norway in overcoming this attack on the very nature of the Norwegian way of life.”

In a separate statement in his capacity as Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Douglas said the international community must remain united in its resolve to address this scourge and to bring perpetrators to justice.

The man who has admitted carrying out the attacks, Anders Behring Breivik, made his first appearance in court this morning. The hearing was held behind closed doors.

Breivik is said to be linked to far-right groups and to have spent years planning the attacks.

According to the BBC, police said that while he had admitted the killings, he had not accepted criminal responsibility for them.

Breivik’s lawyer, Geir Lippestad, told Norwegian media on Sunday: “He thought it was gruesome having to commit these acts, but in his head, they were necessary. He wished to attack society and the structure of society.”

Breivik faces a maximum of 21 years in jail if convicted, although that sentence can be extended if a prisoner is deemed a threat to the public, according to the BBC.