By Sue-Ann Wayow
OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is calling on the Judiciary to tell the public who was the official who gave instructions to compile a list of prisoners to be pardoned.
On Monday, she said that the Government led by Prime Minister Dr Rowley has launched an unprecedented assault on every independent institution in the nation.
Speaking at a United National Congress (UNC) virtual report, she made reference to statements from both the Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West Dinesh Rambally and the Judiciary issued over the weekend.
Earlier in August, the Criminal Bar Association put forward the proposal that 60 prisoners be released in commemoration for Trinidad and Tobago’s 60th anniversary of Independence.
Since that proposal, there has been no word from the Government, Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC, nor Dr Rowley if indeed they were considering that proposal, she said.
Persad-Bissessar said that it was now being revealed that staff members within the Judiciary have been instructed to assist with a Mercy Committee and that since August 8, 13 judicial research counsel in conjunction with the Registrar’s office have been going through court documents and compiling a list of persons they deem eligible to be pardoned.
The process was also temporarily halted due to persons contacting Covid-19.
She said, “It was only when MP Rambally issued a call for clarity on the issue, that the Judiciary sent out an unsigned press statement confirming everything. This is a flagrant violation of the law. This is not how Constitutional pardons work. The PNM cannot entrust members of the Judiciary on who to pardon. This is utter madness.”
Persad-Bissessar said that the structure provided for under the Constitution involves a framework in which the executive must consult with the Advisory Committee (Section 88) which will provide recommendations in instances where offenders have not been sentenced to death.
Where an offender has been sentenced to death, a written report shall be solicited from the trial judge together with such other information derived from the record of the case or elsewhere as may be required for consideration (Section 89).
She said, “The Judiciary must come clean with the people of T&T and tell us who that official is who asked them to use their offices to compile this list.”
Persad-Bissessar added, “Was it the same official who sabotaged the Police Service Commission at the President’s House? Was it Rowley himself who gave this instruction to the Judiciary and if that is so then that is a total shameless, out-of-control government.”
In its release on Sunday, the Judiciary stated, “The Judiciary did not compile a list of eligible persons to be recommended for pardon. The list including the offence for which mercy was being contemplated was provided to the Judiciary by Permanent Secretary (Ag) in the Ministry of National Security.”
The Judiciary added that public officials should be more careful in their statements stating, “It is especially irresponsible to do so in a way as to alarm the public into believing that the Judiciary is not independent and is involved in some nefarious collusion.”
