Commentary: The facts show Jack did nothing wrong

Soldiers demolish illegal camp in Debe

As more information emerges about Wednesday's demolition of the Highway Re-Route camp on state lands in Debe it is becoming clear that neither Jack Warner nor anyone involved broke the law or did anything wrong. 

Yet if you listen to the national conversation and the anti-government propaganda on this you would think that Jack is some kind of ogre whose mission is to trample little people with no regards for their rights.

This is what happened. Soldiers tore down an illegal structure on state property and police were on standby to keep the peace. Dr Wayne Kublalsingh admitted that he tried to block the soldiers from carrying out their assignment; police arrested him but did not lay any charges. Ministers Jack Warner and Colin Partap were present but did not direct anyone or get involved in what was happening.

What exactly did the ministers do wrong? Consider the facts:

• The Highway Re-Route Movement, by its own admission is a political group ("This new political formation will defeat the political elite": Kublalsingh)
• The group is supported by organisations that have stated openly that they want to topple the government ("We say there will be a political price to be paid...and it is coming soon.” OWTU President General Ancel Roget)
• The group and its supporters have been illegally occupying state lands ("The reality is that the people have no right to be there in the first place..." AG Anand Ramlogan)
• Some legal personnel have stated clearly that there was no breach of rules ("A dispassionate examination of the facts would lead one to the conclusion that Mr Warner’s effort...is legal and unobjectionable.” Former Judge Larry Lalla)
• Their action has hindered development and resulted in losses to the state of millions of dollars ("I will get all of the details and what it has cost so far and what it has potentially cost this Government every day that the work on the Highway cannot go on." Works Minister Emmanuel George)
• The Attorney General advised the relevant ministers that they have the right to take control of the land and continue their work ("The advice I gave to Mr. Warner a long time ago is that this type of lawlessness should not be tolerated," AG Ramlogan)
• The army was asked to remove the people and destroy the camp. During the operation the head of the army was directing the activities (The military officers were directed by the Chief of Defense Staff, Kenrick Maharaj..." Jack Warner)
• The Minister asked the police to be present to maintain law and order (..the police were sent by ACP Fitzroy Frederick...he is the person to whom I spoke." Jack Warner)
• Neither Jack Warner nor his junior minister Colin Partap directed any officer or soldier ("I was there observing; I did not say a word to anyone; I folded my arms." Jack Warner)
• People verbally abused the minister and used racist remarks against him ("I want on behalf the constituency of Oropouche East to apologise to Mr. Jack Warner for that attack on him in that way on the soil of Oropouche East." Roodal Moonilal, MP)

I did not make up these facts that have been reported in the national media in Trinidad & Tobago. They are in the public domain. If these are the facts, I ask the question again, what rules did anyone breach?

Re-Route supporters confront Jack Warner and Colin partap

What happened is that the government acted as a government should. It moved in to end the kind of lawlessness that is too common in the country today.

Warner made that point very clearly when he spoke with the media. "Everyone in this country wants to sponsor lawlessness," he said. "They believe lawlessness is something they must give some kind of fame to; I don't believe that...If people believe that the way to get by is to support and sponsor and promote lawlessness, I and my Government don't," he added.

It's no longer business as usual. People do not have the right to burn tyres, block roads, grab lands and bully the government - in effect just break the law and then expect the authorities to look the other way and apologise.

People are mixing up the right to hold dissenting views, to protest and to disagree with the state, with breaking the law.

Nobody has said Wayne Kublalsingh and his followers do not have the right to protest and to demand that they be heard. Moonilal made that clear: "This is a matter for the police and the National Security Services. Mr Kublalsingh and his group are free to continue protest activities within the law,” he said.

What the authorities did is make it clear that Kublalsingh and his followers do not have the right to occupy state property and hinder development. Moonilal reiterated that point: "We must also respect the rule of law and the re-route people were clearly in breach of the law.”

The AG has said anyone who believes the state acted outside of the law is free to go to the courts to seek redress.

According to Ramlogan, "If they have a legal case then by all means I encourage them to take it to court. But you cannot blackmail this Government and bully us and hold us to ransom because what you are doing is holding the people of Point Fortin, Debe, Mon Desir, all those persons to ransom. This matter will affect hundreds of thousands of lives."

The judiciary is not an arm of the executive so no government minister can influence what happens in the courts. If Jack was wrong or the protective services officers acted improperly let those who are aggrieved take legal action and the courts would make a judgment.

Jai Parasram | Toronto 01 July 2012