On the night of August 21, it was President George Maxwell Richards who signed the proclamation of the current State of Emergency. An emergency is proclaimed only in the event of a crisis so serious that in order to deal with it, the protective services must be given extraordinary powers and some of the fundamental rights of citizens are temporarily suspended.
As a result, numerous areas of the country are living under a nightly curfew; that number was increased two days ago. Over 2,000 citizens have been detained and numerous illegal weapons seized.
Nevertheless, President Richards thought it appropriate even under these circumstances to proceed with a month-long overseas vacation, and will be out of the country until October 5.
The President’s decision to go abroad came even after public criticism of the absence of the Commissioner of Police when the emergency was imposed. Commissioner Gibbs, however, was on official duties, at an international conference, and the decision to declare the emergency was taken after he had already left the country.
Although not an executive official, the President of Trinidad and Tobago, positioned above the arena of partisan politics, is the head of state, commanderin- chief of the armed forces, and a symbol of the rule of law and of democratic government.
While the emergency lasts, as yet unforeseen situations may arise in which the President is required to take swift and critical action.
His choice to go on vacation overseas during the present crisis may also undermine the public’s confidence in the justification for the emergency, and has already drawn criticism in the Parliament.
This is not the first time the President’s judgment has been called into question. In May 2009, he was on an overseas vacation when the Integrity Commission resigned. There were calls, which he did not heed, for him to return to explain his appointment of several commissioners who had been found not to be qualified to hold office.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is also planning to leave the country. She has attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and in October she goes to a Commonwealth meeting in Australia.
At the later meeting, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hand over the chair of the Commonwealth to Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Mrs Persad-Bissessar’s presence there appears essential.
It is less clear, however, why was it absolutely necessary for her to travel to New York, where, she has said, she will also attend side meetings on issues such as non-communicable diseases.
The country’s leaders should heed the call of duty and remain at their posts during a State of Emergency. Now more than ever, at a time like this Trinidad and Tobago needs their governance, guidance, and moral and practical support.
Courtesy of Trinidad and Tobago’s Newsday Newspaper
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