National Security Minister Stuart Young says lawyers are not above the law and he is defending a question he raised recently about lawyers representing illegal immigrants.
Young’s comments about the possibility of lawyers aiding and abetting in criminal acts has drawn a response from the Law Association of T&T.
The association says, while government is free to criticize the profession, it believes constant attacks could leave lawyers at risk of defamatory or even physical retaliation from the public.
However, Mr Young, in a statement sent on Monday afternoon, says his question remains legitimate and should be answered.
He reiterated his query: “How are these lawyers communicating with persons illegally entering our country and is there facilitation of human smuggling and possibly human trafficking taking place?”
Young said the Law Association to simply state, as it often does, “let law enforcement look into the matter if laws are being broken,” does not prevent anyone from asking whether lawyers are aiding and abetting in criminal acts.”
He said he views these matters as very serious and as legitimate questions to be asked.
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