Caption: Kamla Persad-Bissessar

By Prior Beharry

PRIME Minister Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has defended the proposed Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) legislation and accused its critics of prioritising the rights of criminals over the safety of law-abiding citizens.

In a statement on Facebook on Wednesday evening, Persad-Bissessar said that public commentary on the bill in recent days had featured “a parade of weak men and women opposing the bill” whose “only goal appears to be the defence of violent criminals.”

She claimed the People’s National Movement (PNM) and some “pseudo ‘independent’ groups” had shown “a fake sense of humanity” by voicing concern for alleged offenders while remaining silent on the impact of violent crime on victims.

Persad-Bissessar said, “It’s amazing how the PNM and pseudo ‘independent’ groups have suddenly found their fake sense of humanity to defend criminals and gangsters.

“They say nothing about the crime, robberies, rapes, murders, and brutal home invasions that have plagued the country for the past decade. They also keep quiet about the dehumanizing treatment of victims of crime.

“They don’t complain about how hard it is for ordinary citizens to live and survive here due to violent crime. But when your government takes measures against violent evil criminals to protect citizens, these weak men and women become experts in what are reasonable measures.

“They are so very concerned about the blood thirsty criminals who force themselves into people’s homes. They are experts in race relations and are concerned about speech.”

“Your government is here to protect you and your family,” she wrote, adding, “Criminals prey on fear. We will instil fear into criminals.”

She said, “What about defending the victims of violent crime? Victims suffer from depression, anxiety, and constant fear. Victims sometimes commit suicide, families are destroyed, and marriages are broken.

“Children are left scarred for life. What about the feelings of the victims?

“There are too many weak men and weak women in positions of influence who do nothing to protect you. Your government is here to protect you and your family. Criminals prey on fear. We will instil fear into criminals.

“Do these weak men and women see and hear you?

“They don’t see you being forced out of your homes by gangsters.

“They don’t see your children under self-imposed curfew in hotspot areas.

“They don’t see you being extorted by criminals so that they won’t burn down your home or business.

“They don’t see when your sons are forced to join gangs at gunpoint or be killed for refusing.

“They don’t see when your wives and daughters are raped and beaten.

“They don’t see you when criminals steal your crops and then chop down whatever they don’t steal.

The debate on the ZOSO should be concluded in the Senate on Friday, with the government needing the support of at least four independent senators to make it law.

Persad-Bissessar has criticised Independent Senators saying saying that they were a creature of the President who appointed them

She had said, “Their hypocritically pious behaviour doesn’t fool anyone. Not a single one of them has the courage to face the electorate; they just use the position to engage in self-promotion, self-congratula­tion and as a stepping stone for per­sonal business opportunities outside of Parliament.”

Persad-Bissessar added, “It is obscene that these nine people, whose only special ability is bootlicking and self-promotion on the local cocktail and conference circuit, and who no one voted for, can decide on legislation brought to Parliament by a government who was voted for by the electorate.”