Beckles challenges Government over Special Operations Bill and SoE warning

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has accused Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of presenting Trinidad and Tobago with what she described as an unacceptable choice between supporting the Special Operations Bill and potentially facing another State of Emergency.

Beckles issued the criticism ahead of the Bill’s consideration in the Senate, questioning the Government’s approach to balancing national security with constitutional safeguards and parliamentary independence.

Her comments follow a statement from Persad-Bissessar that she would not hesitate to declare another State of Emergency if serious threats to the safety and security of citizens re-emerge.

The Prime Minister also expressed confidence that the Special Operations Bill would pass in the Senate without amendments.

Beckles challenged that assertion, questioning how the outcome could be stated before senators, including members of the Independent Bench, had debated the legislation.

She also called on Persad-Bissessar to identify two Independent Senators whom the Prime Minister had previously accused of seeking personal favours in exchange for supporting legislation.

The Opposition Leader further argued that political leadership should remain separate from operational policing, saying the Prime Minister “cannot be both Commissioner and Prime Minister.”

Beckles said the broader issue was whether the Government’s crime-fighting approach was concentrating too much authority in too few hands and relying too heavily on extraordinary security measures.

She argued that after months of emergency powers, the country should instead pursue a comprehensive and measurable strategy against violent crime while maintaining accountability, parliamentary independence, constitutional safeguards and individual liberties.

Beckles concluded by warning that the Opposition would hold the UNC Government politically accountable, saying Trinidad and Tobago should not be forced to choose between extraordinary powers and another State of Emergency.

The Special Operations Bill was passed in the House of Representatives following debate on September 18 and is due to be considered by the Senate.