Rowley Calls for End to State of Emergency, Dismissal of Ministers
Former Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has renewed his criticism of the Government’s handling of the State of Emergency, accusing the administration of abusing state powers, acting without sufficient evidence and pursuing political opponents.
In a statement, Rowley argued that the Government had been left embarrassed following recent legal setbacks before the Privy Council, claiming the outcome had exposed weaknesses in its approach to preventive detention and national security measures.
He questioned why, after weeks of investigations and detentions, authorities had not laid criminal charges against those targeted, while criticising the Prime Minister’s recent comments referencing assistance from “foreign jurisdictions.”
Rowley said that if the Government possesses evidence of criminal conduct, it should pursue prosecutions through Trinidad and Tobago’s legal system rather than making what he described as vague references to international involvement.
The former Prime Minister also called for the immediate end of the State of Emergency, arguing that it was being used to justify actions that undermine citizens’ rights and the rule of law.
He further urged the Prime Minister to dismiss both the Minister of Homeland Security and the Attorney General, saying doing so would be necessary if the Government hopes to restore public confidence.
Rowley also criticised the Government’s legal strategy, claiming taxpayers’ money was being spent defending unsuccessful court challenges, while noting that cooperation between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States on crime-fighting is longstanding and not a recent development.
His remarks come amid continuing political debate over the Government’s handling of the State of Emergency, preventive detention orders and recent court rulings, with both the Government and Opposition maintaining sharply differing views on the measures adopted to combat crime.
