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MP Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly has accused the UNC Government of pushing major legislation through Parliament with insufficient public consultation, warning that the country is under what she described as a “serious threat of a police state.”
In a video posted to Instagram, Gadsby-Dolly focused on proposed changes affecting alcohol, gambling, tobacco and cannabis, particularly restrictions involving young adults.
She acknowledged that some people may initially view the measures positively because they are being presented as a way of protecting young people. However, she argued that the wider issue is how legislation affecting citizens’ rights and personal choices is being introduced.
“To some, on the surface of it, this bill that prohibits young people between the ages of 18 and 25 from drinking alcohol, engaging in gambling, smoking and smoking cannabis may seem like a good thing. We’re protecting our young people, right?” Gadsby-Dolly said.
She linked the legislation to two other recent measures, including the Special Operations Bill and changes to procurement legislation.
Gadsby-Dolly claimed the Special Operations Bill restricts citizens’ rights, freedoms and movement, while arguing that the procurement changes would give the Government greater freedom in spending and awarding contracts.
“So, more freedom for the Government, less freedom for the citizens,” she said.
Gadsby-Dolly characterised the developments as part of what she sees as an increasingly authoritarian approach by the Government.
“What we are seeing is an increasing authoritarian type of behaviour from the Government, where the rights and freedom of the average citizen, those are being curtailed, but the Government is giving itself more and more power,” she said.
She further claimed that Trinidad and Tobago was moving towards a situation where policing powers could increase while citizens’ rights and privileges are reduced.
“Under this UNC Government, Trinidad and Tobago is in a very dangerous position. We stand on the brink of becoming an authoritarian state where the police reign supreme and the rights and privileges of citizens are curtailed,” she said.
A major part of Gadsby-Dolly’s criticism centred on public consultation. She questioned whether citizens, including the young adults directly affected by the proposed age restrictions, were given sufficient opportunity to participate before the legislation reached Parliament.
“Where was the consultation for these three important pieces of legislation?” she asked.
She also criticised the amount of time she said the Opposition is being given to examine significant bills before parliamentary debate.
“Three important, critical pieces of legislation and the Opposition gets them the day, or one day or two days, before the debate, and the citizens have no input at all, and the UNC comes to Parliament and railroads these pieces of legislation through,” Gadsby-Dolly said.
Concluding her message, she urged citizens to pay attention to the cumulative effect of the legislative changes.
“Democracy is not lost all at once. It’s lost bit by bit. And this is exactly what we are seeing in Trinidad and Tobago,” she said.
She ended by asking: “Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, when will enough be enough with this UNC Government?”
The statements represent Gadsby-Dolly’s criticism and interpretation of the Government’s legislative agenda.
Article and image source: instagram.com
