The National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) is calling on the Government to clearly articulate why there is a need to extend the State of Emergency, raising an alarm over why the measure needs to be continued.
Since July last year, the country has been under states of emergency, with only a short break in between the last one and the current one, which is set to end on June 17.
Government intends to head to Parliament tomorrow to debate the extension on Wednesday as the current SoE ends on June 17. If approved, it would be extended until September.
In the media release yesterday, however, NATUC general secretary Michael Annisette questioned the need for an extension, adding the umbrella union body is also calling on civil society to scrutinise the reasons being offered and to voice their concerns over the extension.
“NATUC therefore calls on Parliament, all political parties, independent senators, civil society, religious bodies, and citizens of conscience to carefully scrutinise any proposed extension of the State of Emergency. The Government must provide clear, transparent and compelling justification for any continuation of emergency powers. Any such measures must be necessary, proportionate, time-bound, transparent, accountable, and respectful of constitutional freedoms,” Annisette said.
With 15 no-protest zones now in effect, which include government sites such as the Finance Ministry, the Prime Minister’s Office and Parliament, Annisette questioned how extending the SoE may impact workers’ rights to protest.
“To restrict access to these traditional spaces of public expression is to weaken the very foundation of democracy. A nation cannot claim to defend law and order while silencing the lawful voices of its people.”
He added: “National security cannot be built on the weakening of democracy. Public safety cannot come at the permanent expense of civil liberties. The protection of citizens must go hand in hand with the protection of their constitutional rights.
“NATUC remains firm in its position: security and democracy must coexist. The protection of one must never become the sacrifice of the other.”
However, former national security minister and former top cop Gary Griffith says while he supports the extension, the mere fact that it is being considered is a testament that the leadership of the law enforcement agencies had failed to capitalise on the ongoing SoE.
In a media release, Griffith said: “Let me be clear: I agree with extending the State of Emergency only because of the blatant failure and inability of those who lead law enforcement to control crime, despite the authority and powers already granted to them under the Constitution.
“For law enforcement to ask the Government to extend a State of Emergency is, in itself, an admission of failure. It is an admission that they are unable to do their damn job.”
Pointing fingers at the leadership of the T&T Police Service (TTPS), Griffith said under him, there were increased policies and police units, but now the greatest policy coming out of the hierarchy of the TTPS was one to protect diplomats. He was referring to the Diplomatic Security Unit which was announced hours before protesters were scheduled to demonstrate outside the Forensic Science Centre, Federation Park, St James.
Griffith said the extension sends a clear message: “It signals to the world that law enforcement cannot secure the nation. That negative perception makes Trinidad and Tobago look like a nation under siege. It triggers foreign governments to escalate travel advisories, which directly damages investment, trade, and tourism.”
Griffith said the loss of confidence could lead to a drop in revenue, higher costs for goods and services, inflation, unemployment, and ultimately, even more crime.
Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce president Baldath Maharaj also welcomes the extension, but said he had one added feature he would like to see.
“With this extension, we need to get surgical. I’m calling for a strict curfew on major crime hotspots, if possible. Don’t choke the law-abiding business community. Put the curfew exactly where the trouble is and hit those hotspots hard.”
His support for the SoE was echoed by his counterpart Kiran Singh, president of the Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce.
Singh, like Annisette, said the rationale to extend the SoE must be clearly articulated.
“We would wish to see that the Government, in their presentation to Parliament to extend the State of Emergency, give us an update on if ministers’ lives are still under threat and if the gang warfare is being taken care of.”
He added, however, that of greater concern would be life beyond the SoE.
“Obviously, this is not a long-term solution, and it can’t be held indefinitely. The international community and the local community will be looking at us, as to how we extend the State of Emergency and what are the reasons. Is it to restore public confidence in not only the TTPS, but in us as a society being able to conduct our business in a safe environment.”
ASP: Police working hard to meet demands
Police Social and Welfare Association president, ASP Ishmael Pitt, yesterday said police officers have been working assiduously at meeting the added demands placed on them since July last year, when the Government called its first SoE to address gang violence.
He thanked Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro for his leadership in ensuring that officers are not disadvantaged.
“Striking that work-life balance is of paramount importance, and considering the delicate nature of policing, it is important that each and every police officer is properly well able to manage that work-life balance,” Pitt said.
Noting the murder toll of 369 last year, Pitt said the current toll, which stood at up to yesterday evening, was a sign that the SoE is working. However, he added that while police had made great strides, there are some areas that need strengthening.
“Yes, the State of Emergency from our end has yielded a tremendous amount of results. Also, there’s still room for improvement, and we must look at how we are able to create these type of strides and even impact areas that the State of Emergency will not be able to impact within a normal period, within those periods outside of a state of emergency.”
Guardian Media reached out to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for a comment on NATUC’s concerns, as well as a rationale for extending the SoE. However, up to press time, there was no response.
However, in a release indicating Government’s intention to extend the SoE on Sunday, Attorney General John Jeremie said the Prime Minister made the decision following a meeting of the National Security Council on Friday.
The release said the Prime Minister and members of the council received and reviewed reports on the SoEs implemented between December 2024 and May 2026, which highlighted analyses of datasets related to significant local and international threats to national security.
“The reports revealed that all three SoEs were associated with meaningful disruptions in all categories of datasets reviewed and analysed,” the release added.
After examining the reports and advice from members of the NSC, Jeremie said the Prime Minister decided that Government would go to Parliament to request an extension of the SoE for a further three months.
