Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has rebuked those that are suggesting that the Sedition Act should be repealed because it is too antiquated adding there are several other laws we may as well do away with similarly.
The Prime Minister chided detractors saying: “The biggest conversation in Trinidad and Tobago today is how old the Sedition Act is. And it’s time to get rid of it. Well then if that is how we approach it, we might as well go with the whole basket,”
He went on to elaborate, referencing other statutes including the Trespass Act: “Let’s get rid of the Trespass Act, that’s ‘kinda’ old too. Let’s get rid of the act for murder and crime. And while we’re at it, let’s get rid of the act which speaks to common assault, which dates way back to the days of King John and the Magna Carta.”
The PM made the statement while speaking at the T&T Police Service’s special Independence Day celebrations at the Police Administration building on Sackville Street, Port-of-Spain.The Prime Minister’s comments were in reference to the case in which Public Services Association president Watson Duke was charged with sedition for comments he made last November in relation to jobs at T&TEC, TSTT and WASA.
Many including Professor Rosmarie Belle Antoine, Head of the Law Faculty have indicated that it’s time to look at these antiquated Laws with a view to possibly repealing them.
Mr. Duke appeared in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was granted $250,000 bail.
COMMENTS