THE Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) has voiced serious concern over remarks by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar following the Senate’s defeat of the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill, 2026.
In a statement issued Friday, the association addressed allegations made by the Prime Minister that two Independent senators sought personal inducements in exchange for supporting the proposed ZOSO legislation—claims the Independent bench has categorically denied.
Persad-Bissessar made the allegation in a Facebook post titled “My Government will not buy votes,” saying the senators approached a senior government senator seeking favours. She said the requests were rejected and added, “They know who they are. They must live with that shame.”
In the same post, the Prime Minister also slammed the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), suggested the government could have called another State of Emergency, accused the PNM of celebrating the bill’s defeat prematurely, and linked crime trends to Opposition-held constituencies. She further accused the PNM of protecting “local drug-mafia financiers.”
The bill required a three-fifths majority to pass but failed after eight of nine Independent senators voted against it, with one abstention. All six Opposition senators also voted against the legislation.
LATT stated, “The making of grave accusations against parliamentarians—accusations that, if true, would constitute serious misconduct—without providing sufficient particulars to permit identification, investigation, or response, is inimical to the proper functioning of our democratic institutions. Such allegations place all nine Independent Senators under a cloud of suspicion while affording none the opportunity to clear their name.”
It stated, “If there is substance to these claims, the appropriate course is to provide the relevant details to the proper authorities so that a fair inquiry may be conducted. If such particulars cannot be provided, the repetition of unverifiable accusations serves only to undermine public confidence in our Parliament. If such particulars cannot be provided, the repetition of unverifiable accusations serves only to undermine public confidence in our Parliament and ought to be publicly withdrawn.”
Independent senators who opposed the bill were Dr Marlene Attzs, Anthony Vieira, Alicia Lalite-Ettienne, Dr Desiree Murray, Sophia Chote, Michael Simon de la Bastide, Candice Jones-Simmons, and Francis Lewis. Courtney McNish abstained.
Senate debate on the measure ran for four days and included contributions from 27 senators. Attorney General John Jeremie piloted the bill, arguing that proposed amendments could not be accommodated because of time constraints and the impending expiration of the existing State of Emergency.
Opposition and Independent senators raised concerns about the bill’s constitutionality, police readiness and implementation, including unresolved issues surrounding police body cameras.
