Senior Reporter
Port-of-Spain South MP Keith Scotland says the Opposition will not support any attempt by the Government to further extend the State of Emergency (SoE) beyond September 17, maintaining that its position is grounded in an assessment of the measure’s effectiveness and a commitment to principle.
Scotland made the position clear when asked whether the Opposition expected the Government to allow the SoE to expire rather than seek another extension based on the data available at the end of the current period.
Under the Constitution, the Government can extend a SoE for up to six months using its simple majority in the House of Representatives. However, any extension beyond six months requires a three-fifths special majority in both the House and Senate. Alternatively, the Government may allow the current SoE to expire and advise the President to proclaim a new one, effectively resetting the constitutional timeline.
Scotland said the Opposition had already reviewed the SoE’s effectiveness and discussed the issue within its parliamentary caucus.
“At the time of the last extension, we did not support it in Parliament. Nothing has changed. In fact, things have gotten worse as it pertains to civil liberties, and in those circumstances, we are unable to acquiesce to any further extension of the State of Emergency,” he said.
He noted that any further extension beyond the constitutional limit would require the Opposition’s support and said the party would stand by its principles.
“We will stand on principle. We will give reasons for non-support, and it won’t be capricious,” he said.
However, he also called for greater transparency and independent verification of Government claims that crime and murders have declined under the SoE.
Questioning whether citizens genuinely felt a sense of progress following Trinidad and Tobago’s 64th Independence anniversary celebrations, he accused the Government of relying on broad statements and social media messaging without providing sufficient evidence.
“We have just experienced our 64th Independence anniversary. How do we feel? Did it leave you feeling you are part of Trinidad and Tobago?” he asked.
Scotland also challenged claims made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in her Independence Day message that 400 lives had been saved and that crime was declining.
“The Prime Minister, in her Independence Day message, said 400 lives were saved and crime is down. Where are the detailed statistics that show what is being said is matched by facts?” he asked.
“Where is the independent verification?”
He said the Opposition remained concerned about the credibility and accessibility of crime data.
“We are concerned about credibility and access to crime statistics. We should not have to piece together what is going on because the words coming out of this Government cannot be trusted when broad pronouncements are made in a vacuum,” he said, urging Government to publish the methodology used to support the Prime Minister’s claim 400 lives had been saved.
Scotland also questioned the effectiveness of the SoE, which was introduced to address escalating gang violence. He argued that the Government must demonstrate that the extraordinary powers granted under the measure are being used effectively for that purpose.
“The SoE was initially proclaimed due to the proliferation of gang violence,” he said, while warning against its use against individuals who merely oppose Government policy.
The Opposition MP further queried the number of Preventive Detention Orders (PDOs) issued under the SoE, saying conflicting figures had emerged publicly.
Scotland said the Minister of Homeland Security had a responsibility to provide accurate information and questioned why there was no publicly accessible database tracking PDOs.
He also called for information on how many detainees had been charged and how many cases had progressed to prosecution.
According to figures cited by Scotland, 373 days of the Government’s tenure up to August 2026 had been spent under a SoE. He questioned whether the measure had therefore lost its exceptional character.
“Does it mean the SoE has lost its sting? Is it an exceptional order?” he asked.
“It is now a central plank of the Government, while the economy goes down the drain, and we continue to live under a system of extraordinary measures.”
Scotland maintained that a SoE should not become the Government’s primary crime-fighting tool.
While expressing support for the police and their efforts to combat crime, he said Government must also provide clear and verifiable information to the public.
“We support the police in all their efforts to curb crime, but we demand accountability simultaneously,” he said.
Senator wants
Also contacted on the issue of an extension of the SoE yesterday, Independent Senator Dr Marlene Attzs said it was too early to determine whether she would support another extension. She noted that several recent national security initiatives should first be assessed.
“At this stage, I would prefer not to speculate or have a position on whether or not I would support any further extension of the SoE,” Attzs told Guardian Media.
“There have been a number of developments and initiatives in the national security space, including the recent introduction of the joint police-army posts, and I think it is important to allow some time to assess these measures.”
Attzs said any decision would depend on the evidence and circumstances presented if the Government formally sought another extension.
“If and when a further extension of the SoE is formally proposed, I would consider the case presented, the available evidence and the circumstances at that time before determining a position,” she said.
