THE Opposition is accusing the Government of abusing its power by potentially infringing on the constitutional rights of citizens following the declaration of a state of emergency yesterday.
Leading that argument was Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, who spoke during a news conference at the Office of the Opposition Leader on Charles Street in Port of Spain.
The SoE was declared following a meeting of the National Security Council, led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, on Monday night. Explaining her decision to impose the SoE, the Prime Minister cited a surge in violent, gang-related crime and credible intelligence indicating planned attacks on members of the protective services.
At the news conference, Beckles raised concerns about some of the regulations contained in the SoE notice, urging citizens, “Look at these regulations.”
She argued, “It is one thing that you are calling a SoE, it is another thing when people don’t read these regulations. Because here the regulations would tell you that the Government really is not practising democracy.”
She continued, “This Government is all about dictatorship, this Government is all about abuse of power, and this Government is all about ensuring that freedom of expression no longer exists in Trinidad and Tobago. This is what this SoE is all about.”
Reading from a copy of the notice, Beckles highlighted several concerns, noting that Section 11 appeared to target the media. That section states: “No person shall (a) endeavour, whether orally or otherwise, to influence public opinion in a manner likely to be prejudicial to public safety; or (b) do any act or to have any article in his possession with a view to making or facilitating the making of any such endeavour.”
She challenged that the section did not address gang activity, which was cited as the reason for the SoE.
‘Dangerous
differences’
Also speaking at the news conference was former prime minister and MP for Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West Stuart Young, who compared the regulations of the current SoE with those from 2024 and 2025, describing some changes as “stark and dangerous differences”.
Holding a copy of the regulations, he said, “Look at regulation four, which is now permitting orders to be made by the President under regulation three, really giving the Commissioner of Police the power to put in place certain orders.
“Look importantly at regulation 4 (1)(b). The Government is telling us, the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, that they foresee the possibility of putting in place an order to impose on any person restrictions in respect of his employment or business, or his place of residence. What is that?”
Young questioned, “Is this their attempt to go ZOSO (Zones of Special Operations) using a state of emergency? They are going to put in place orders that could restrict any one of us.”
He continued, “And remember, your constitutional rights under a state of emergency, such as habeas corpus, and the right to go to court to be released, are suspended.”
Reading further, he said, “You may be required to notify of your movements in such manner, in such time, to such authority or persons as may be specified. That previously was an order of the court. They are now completely getting rid of due process.”
He added, “Another one at (e) restricts any person from travelling except in accordance with permission given to him by such authority or person as may be specified, without identifying. Again, they are taking away powers constitutionally given to the courts of Trinidad and Tobago and giving them to themselves. Handing that to Roger Alexander? Handing that to Kamla Persad-Bissessar? Is this where the Government is taking us, the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago?”
He concluded, “The regulations are indicating to us, with neon lights in highlight and bright, bright red flags, that they are contemplating some very far overreaching actions, trampling on our constitutionally protected rights of freedom of movement and freedom of expression.”