By Sandra Chouthi
Special to Indo-Caribbean World
Port-of-Spain – Much to the relief of house-bound and fun-loving Trinidadians, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on November 7 lifted the curfew that had been imposed with the ongoing State of Emergency. Nationals took to the streets in celebration, with an immediate resumption of night-life and "liming" – a word used by Trinidadians to describe going out and having a good time.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar declared the SoE on August 21 to stem an escalating murder rate. Initially for two weeks, it was later extended to three months. At the start, the curfew was imposed from 9 pm to 4 am, but was later changed to 11 pm to 5 am.
The curfew played havoc with Trinidadians' 'liming' schedule, this being a significant part of the work-life balance that governs the local lifestyle.
On the upside, residents everywhere - from the bar-lined Ariapita Avenue in Woodbrook to those in Couva in central Trinidad, had grown to relish the quiet of their neighbourhoods brought on by the curfew. With it came restful sleep. Gone were the revving of the engines of souped-up cars and the monotonous thumping of loud music systems.
Nationals found a way to compensate for the loss of 'liming' during the curfew hours. Parties were held during the time when one could not be outdoors. One bar owner, frustrated with the loss of income, hit on the idea to air-condition his facility so patrons could party all night.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar returned to Trinidad and Tobago on November 6 following the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia. She later announced that the SoE was staying, but the curfew was being lifted. Her announcement was greeted with whoops of joy across the spectrum of bars that dot the country everywhere - from 'hawk-and-spits' to more elegant watering holes.
There have only been two other periods when SoEs were declared in Trinidad and Tobago: during the 1970s Black Power protests and the 1990 attempted coup d'état by the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen against the National Alliance for Reconstruction government.
The latest is the third SoE. At its start, government officials, including Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy, talked about police having arrested up to 400 gang members under the 2011 Anti-Gang Act. Police sirens that blared through the government-declared hot spots went silent.
Since then, the majority of those arrested have been released as a result of flawed legislation and/or insufficient evidence. Now those who have been released are looking to sue the State for false imprisonment.
Prior to Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar calling the SoE, police data showed that rivalry among gangs accounted for 33 percent of all murders in Trinidad and Tobago for the last decade.
According to a March 2010 article in Foreign Policy magazine, titled 'Trouble in Paradise', Trinidad and Tobago's murder rate has risen by nearly 400 percent in the past decade. The murder rate in Port-of-Spain rivals that in Johannesburg and Baghdad, the magazine stated.
"Proliferating gangs, mostly composed of impoverished young men, are behind many of the killings, centred in the dense suburbs of Port-of-Spain. But shootings are not confined to the slums. Last year, a witness against a gang boss was gunned down as she left the central courthouse; another gang leader was shot to death at a popular outdoor bar," the article noted.
So far for 2011, there have been 302 murders; for 2010, the figure was 485.
In a national address on November 7, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, who chairs the National Security Council, said there was a 50 percent drop in homicides for the period August 21 to October 31, 2010; in 2011 it dropped from 70 percent, with 35 persons murdered.
She said that for the period January 1 to October 2010, as compared to the same period for 2011, there were 98 fewer homicides. According to the Prime Minister, the SoE has brought many successes, including increases in seizures in arms and ammunition and narcotics.
The government continues to come under intense criticism from the business community, including the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce for continuing with the SoE despite statistics showing murders in particular have dramatically decreased. Interestingly, the Chamber has lobbied the government for years to be more aggressive in its crime-fighting methods.
Criticism has been coming from other areas as well. Leader of the PNM opposition, Dr Keith Rowley said in October that the SoE, as a response to fighting criminal activity, has outlived any potential usefulness. The government was "preserving and maintaining an unnecessary state of emergency so as to have a political advantage on Trinidad and Tobago," he declared.
Before the lifting of the curfew he noted: "We are calling on the government to cease and desist immediately. There is no need for our country to be under a State of Emergency. The government must end the curfew immediately. It does not relate to any crime-fighting."
Before the SoE was declared, trade unions had threatened to shut down the country to protest the government's five percent wage increase to public servants. The unions are now claiming the government has used the SoE to prevent their protest action.
However, the prime minister is maintaining that the SoE was declared on the basis of intelligence available then that there existed a clear threat to national security. No details have been released.
"It was, for me, by no means an easy decision but, it was, quite frankly, the only one that could have been taken under the circumstances," Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar told reporters.
And she is sticking to her guns about keeping the SoE going: "We do not claim a complete victory. There have been challenges along the way, but undoubtedly, the battle has been won to a large extent. When gang leaders tremble in fear, we have won. When the crime rate plummets, we have won. When guns and ammunition are removed from the streets that could have killed one more innocent man, woman or child, we have won. When illegal drugs are seized and destroyed and their operations shut down, we have won," she said.
Statistics are being used to back up what the prime minister is maintaining. According to Persad-Bissessar, "One month prior to declaring a state of emergency, there were 46 homicides committed compared to the 18 for the same period following the emergency declaration and curfew, an overall reduction of just over 60 percent. Gang-related homicides were reduced by an even higher percentage.
"Measured against the same period, there was a reduction of just over 51 percent in serious crimes, such as robbery with aggravation, house breaking and rape. The period showed a decrease of just over 73 percent in motor vehicle larceny. And this is of particular significance, since motor vehicle larceny is considered the initial stages of a crime event cycle that leads to more serious crimes.
"Even if we disregard the obvious successes demonstrated by the statistics, this enhanced confidence in the protective services by the national community, this visible 'taking back of the streets' by community involvement that we have witnessed during the State of Emergency, is undoubtedly one of its major successes."
There have been other successes, she noted. A substantial reduction of criminal activity and the incidence of serious crimes, especially homicide; disturbing, if not finally dismantling, the drugs, crime, guns cycle, and public identification of some criminal leaders; strengthening Trinidad and Tobago's intelligence gathering system and laying the foundation for rebuilding a robust intelligence gathering and deployment system.
Among the other successes have been establishing the basis for joint army-police framework and collaboration among agencies: Prisons, Police, Army, Customs, Immigration, Coast Guard; some criminals have been charged, and cases will be brought against them; the government's capacity to monitor criminals and criminal activity has substantially increased.
In the meantime, she said the State of Emergency will continue, but will be constantly reviewed. It is due to end early next month.

 

Port-of-Spain - Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan said Sunday that treatment to cancer patients will be given the highest priority due to the number of cases reported to the Ministry by the National Cancer Registry.
The Minister said between 1997 and 2006, there were 19,833 new cases of cancer reported and 12,643 cancer deaths in Trinidad and Tobago.
"Males outnumbered females for both new cases, which stood at 10,243 and deaths at 6,893. The statistics for females were 9,590 new cases and 5,750 deaths."
He said the projection for 2030 is expected to be 11 million the world over.
Khan's disclosures came as he addressed members of the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association and the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medical Sciences at the First Oncology Update Conference at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain.
Khan said the figures provided by the Ministry of Health could even be higher "because there are several cases in Trinidad and Tobago that were not reported to the Ministry".
He emphasised that early diagnosis and treatment are critical in reducing mortality from cancer and also announced that the dedicated Breast Cancer Clinic will soon be opened at the National Radiotherapy Centre.
The Minister said the Ministry of Health is currently partnering with the private sector to ensure that eligible patients benefit from the free modern linear accelerator radiation therapy treatment through a referral process coordinated by the Ministry.
He said one of the latest initiatives by the Ministry in the fight against cancer will be the continuing plan to offer national scholarships and bursaries to nationals pursuing specialist training in oncology.
Sunday's update was jointly sponsored by Southern Medical Clinic and Mayo Clinic in the US.
Along with an address by Prof Samuel Ramsewak, papers were presented by Dr Gerry Colon, Dr James Foran, and Dr Steven Buskirk, oncology specialists at Mayo Clinic.
Papers were also presented by Dr Maria Dillon-Remy, president of the TTMA, Dr Gordon Naraynsingh, Dr Kavi Capildeo, Dr Dylan Narinesingh, Dr Kenneth Charles and Dr Curt Bodkyn.
Dr George Laquis, chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society, was on hand to thank the participants in the update exercise.

 

Port-of-Spain - Race should not be used as a weapon to destroy citizens of this country.
So said Minister of Legal Affairs and Leader of the Congress of the People Prakash Ramadhar Sunday.
Ramadhar said the issue of race was very serious and will destroy the nation if not dealt with properly. Because of its seriousness, the COP will be heading a nationwide discussion entitled "Race and Politics - 50 years of Independence".
Ramadhar was speaking at a press conference following a national council meeting at the COP office in Charlieville, Chaguanas.
He said: "We believe that this nation is far too small to be divided along any lines, whether geographical, whether economic, social and certainly along racial lines. But there are agents of mischief in our society who will take things out of context, who will use race to divide our people to gain some mileage or some advantage without appreciating that in a very small nation like ours that race, when that is used as a weapon, that no one wins."
He said the issue of race has been "swept under the carpet" for too long, hence the reason for the discussion that will take place soon.
Ramadhar said the issue involving Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha general secretary Sat Maharaj and his alleged racist comments were a direct attack by people with political motives.
"Fortunately, I think Mr Maharaj has come forward and said he made no such statement and the issue that is at hand here is an allegation of such seriousness was made but without ascertaining the other side's statements," said Ramadhar.
"Those who have responsibility because they have been given the right to speak publicly with some office, they have to exercise the right to free speech with great responsibility and restraint when it comes to matters of race and things that could make untold damage, not just now but way into the future."
Ramadhar said there was even talk about race when the State of Emergency was declared in August.
He said the police acted without any political interference.
"This government I am a member of and if I find any evidence of political influence on the police as to how they do their duty I shall speak forcefully against it, but I have seen none of that," Ramadhar added.
Dr Lincoln Douglas, who will be in charge of the discussion on race, said: "We understand that historically we inherited a politics of race and a politics of ethnicity... we are making the effort to construct a different form of politics — one that is based on equity and justice and social justice and the common good.
"We want our community to talk about not only the hurt and the anger and the distrust that ever existed, but we want to find a meaningful way to teach our society how to think about the issue of ethnicity and difference and cultural knowledge that would be significant for a developed society."

 

Port-of-Spain - Outspoken Chairman of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice, Leela Ramdeen, last Saturday reiterated that the National Lotteries Control Board's decision to introduce a third Play Whe and Pick 2 draw will not aid in nation-building.
"Tolerance is one of our watchwords and if we can't express our views as people of faith, then we are going down the wrong road. I truly believe that three draws per day is not going to build our nation. That is my view," said Ramdeen.
She was addressing a simple function to launch the Catholic Church's Respect For Life Week at the Living Water Community, upper Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain on Saturday. Theme of this year's event is Respect Life: Promote Justice.
President of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in the Netherlands, Victor Scheffers delivered the keynote address. Also speaking was outgoing Roman Catholic Archbishop Edward Gilbert and President of the Inter-Religious Organisation, Emrol Gould.
Saying that gambling was by no means wrong, Ramdeen pointed to its harmful consequences within the family if abused.
"I know many people who spend their little money which could have been used to buy food for their children and when they are deprived then it (gambling) becomes an addiction," Ramdeen said, insisting she will not be fazed by the negative comments that have been attributed to her position in the media.
"When you are fighting for justice you have to be prepared to take licks and my shoulders have gotten real broad over the years. But, it is sad when people don't give you an opportunity to respond and they just go on the radio and say things are very painful."
The new 10.30 a.m. draw time is expected to take effect this week. The popular gambling game is already drawn from Mondays to Saturdays, at 1 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.
Ramdeen, who writes frequently in the weekly Catholic News publication, also spoke out against the recent showing of the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl on the now suspended television programme, Crime Watch. She told the audience that UNICEF had produced a handbook detailing how journalists should treat with matters of a delicate nature involving children.
"One of the things it made clear was that journalists should not only look to the laws of the land related to how they should behave. It should come from a place of conscience and decency, so that you should not traumatise the child more by showing programmes such as that," Ramdeen said
"That is why I am so concerned about justice in this country," she stated.
Ramdeen urged members of the Roman Catholic community to speak out on issues of national importance, particularly as it relates to family life and sound nation-building.
"We need to also act more justly by standing out and speaking out when there are injustices and the first thing we have to do is educate people about justice," she said.

 

Port-of-Spain - The Council of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago is calling on politicians "to be extremely careful as to the statements they choose to make in relation to ongoing criminal proceedings and judgments of the courts".
But, in a media release issued Sunday, the Law Association said, having considered the transcript of an interview with Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley on November 8, the reported comments by the Judiciary on November 11 and a subsequent statement by Rowley, that Rowley's statements do not amount to criminal contempt of court.
The Association is the latest to voice its opinion, following statements made by Rowley with regard to the November 7 ruling of Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh in the extradition case against Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson arising out of the Piarco International Airport construction scandal.
The Association said "in the light of the clear misunderstanding of these remarks and the ill-will they appeared to have generated, as may be gleaned from the slew of comments both on-line and on radio talk shows (which could themselves border on bringing the administration of justice into disrepute), the Council urges Dr Rowley and politicians in general to be extremely careful as to the statements they choose to make in relation to ongoing criminal proceedings and judgments of the courts".
Adding that there should be no ambiguity or imprecision that could be interpreted by the general public as an attack on a presiding judge (or magistrate), that could lead to an inference of any sinister wrongdoing or improper motive on the part of a member of the judiciary in the performance of his duties, the Association said while comments on court decisions are permissible, "the public must seek to ensure that the administration of justice and the rule of law are protected and guarded".
"It is important that the public should continue to have confidence in the complete impartiality of the judiciary and anything which seeks to undermine this must be condemned," the Law Association said.
Justice Boodoosingh had ruled that United National Congress financiers Galbaransingh and Ferguson not be extradited to the US since the correct forum for their charges to be heard is Trinidad and Tobago.
Following the decision, Rowley was asked by reporters to comment. He said the decision was a defeat "for the Attorney General, if there is any defeat there would be a defeat for justice in Trinidad and Tobago. However, it was the AG that facilitated the whole process..."
Also commenting on Rowley's statements were the Judiciary and AG Anand Ramlogan.
The Judiciary, in a strongly worded statement, condemned "the innuendos by the Leader of the Opposition of collusion between the judge and by extension, the Judiciary, and the Attorney General in the decision which was arrived at and handed down in the court".