Marcelle Questions Access to Courts if Magistrates Live Inside Special Operations Closed Areas

Laventille West MP Kareem Marcelle has questioned how the justice system would operate if magistrates or other judicial officers live within areas declared closed under the Special Operations Bill, 2026. Speaking during a PNM Opposition press conference at Balisier House, Marcelle argued that the legislation raises practical questions about access to courts during special operations. Marcelle said magistrates, registrars and justices of the peace were not among the categories he identified as being specifically exempted from restrictions imposed within closed areas. He argued that this could create difficulties if a judicial officer living inside a closed area needed to leave during a curfew or other movement restriction to attend court. Marcelle linked the issue to provisions allowing people arrested during special operations to be initially detained for up to 36 hours before further court proceedings. He presented a scenario in which police could take an arrested person to court while the magistrate required permission to leave a closed area to hear the matter. Marcelle questioned whether requiring permission from security authorities in such circumstances could interfere with the administration of justice. “Does this sound like a democracy?” Marcelle asked as he urged citizens to consider the implications of the legislation. His concerns represent the Opposition MP’s interpretation of how the proposed restrictions could operate in practice. Marcelle called for greater public scrutiny of the Bill and argued that its provisions should adequately account for the ability of judicial officers to perform their duties during special operations.