Foster Cummings Accuses Government of Executive Power Abuse

Opposition Member of Parliament Foster Cummings has accused the Government of abusing executive power, arguing that no minister should have the authority to order the arrest or imprisonment of citizens without proper constitutional safeguards.
In a strongly worded statement, Cummings said the use of Preventive Detention Orders during the current State of Emergency raises serious concerns about the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.
He questioned whether citizens were being unfairly targeted because they are perceived to oppose the Government, referencing the governing party’s campaign slogan that “when the UNC wins, everybody wins.”
According to Cummings, the continued use of emergency powers and preventive detention risks undermining constitutional protections and could attract scrutiny from the international community.
He also expressed concern over what he described as the possible misuse of the Interception of Communications Act, questioning whether private conversations were being intercepted without the judicial oversight required by law.
Cummings further criticised the alleged leaking of intercepted communications, calling it “an unforgivable invasion of privacy” and “a total betrayal of public trust.” He warned that if citizens lose confidence in the privacy of their communications, it would have implications for every Trinidad and Tobago citizen, regardless of political affiliation.
“My heart goes out to the many families who have become victims of this Government’s increasingly dictatorial conduct,” Cummings said, adding that it was particularly troubling that senior citizens also appeared to be affected.
He concluded by calling on citizens to defend their constitutional rights, arguing that silence in the face of alleged abuses only strengthens threats to democracy.
Cummings also said the Government owes the country an apology and maintained that any public official or minister found to have exceeded their lawful authority should be held accountable through appropriate legal action.