Any changes to the existing law on abortion, gay rights and marijuana will have to be determined by the people of the country after extensive consultations, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday.
She made the comment during the question and answer session at yesterday’s luncheon organised by the Powerful Ladies of T&T (Plott) at the T&T Chamber of Commerce in Westmoorings.
Dealing first with abortion, Persad-Bissessar said that issue was very controversial, adding that it was not dependent on her views, “but I think it is a matter for the people of T&T and what is on the statute books, I will comply with the law as it is in T&T. Should the population say they want it otherwise, we will move in that regard.”
She then commented on the issue of gay rights, saying a similar position obtained.
“Our position is the same. That is not a decision that could be made by us in the Cabinet. It is a matter that requires tremendous consultation, stakeholder consultations, to arrive at consensus.”
She insisted, however, “It is not my decision to make.”
Social activist Hazel Brown, who was in the audience, called on Persad-Bissessar to “immediately, before election, take the bold step of adopting the 2012 version of the Gender Policy which was presented by (former Gender Minister) Marlene Coudray.”
Brown said that draft policy “does not promote gay rights, all it says is that people will not be discriminated against, it does not promote abortion.”
The PM then said it would be taken before Cabinet on Thursday for consideration, adding she could not promise anything more on the issue.
Leader of the Trinidad Humanity campaign, Marcus Ramkissoon, asked the PM what was her position on decriminalising marijuana. He noted that it had already been decriminalised in Jamaica.
In response, Persad-Bissessar said “marijuana, ganja, cannabis, plant-like substance, whatever you call it” was decriminalised in Jamaica because it was a major revenue earner. That comment brought laughter.
Persad-Bissessar said T&T was working with Caricom on the issue but she did not “want T&T to move forward with that until we have all the reports, then we can formulate our position and get your views on it.”
She noted, however, that many countries have decriminalised marijuana for medicinal purposes.
“So it isn’t something that is totally impossible, but I will prefer to see the Caricom recommendation before we put it before the people of T&T for their approval, should that become necessary,” the PM said.
Following the luncheon, Persad-Bissessar and other Cabinet ministers met with selected businessmen at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s to discuss common interests as the September 7 general elections approaches.
Among those present was the president of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association Gregory Aboud. (RL)