radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
With the defeat of the Anti-Gang legislation in Parliament last Wednesday, political leader of the Movement for Social Justice David Abdulah says both the Government and the Opposition have failed the people of T&T.
Speaking at a press conference in San Fernando yesterday, Abdulah said it was time for citizens to speak out about the human rights violations which exist in T&T.
Announcing the resumption of the MSJ’s Citizen Intervention forum from January, Abdulah said this will provide a platform for citizens across the political and ethnic divide to express views ideas and analysis about the problems in T&T.
“The first issue to be dealt with is crime and violence. We will examine the Anti-Gang legislation and why have we gotten to the stage of 480 murders for this year. Why have we gotten to stage where young men and women feel alienated and feel the need to join a gang,” Abdulah said.
He added, “We want everyone to take part in this discussion as we deal with the state of the economy, health sector, education, land, housing and wealth inequality.”
Abdulah also said there were too many violations of basic human rights in T&T.
“Across the board whether it is a denial of rights to our children, elderly, differently able and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community,” he noted.
“The issue of women’s rights and sexual harassment in the workplace has to be addressed,” Abdulah said, noting that many women are denied maternity leave and are being made to work long hours with no over time.
Saying many citizens were badly affected by the crime wave, Abdulah contended that both the UNC and PNM failed in their responsibilities as legislators and members of Parliament by the failure to pass the Anti Gang legislation.
“They failed the people of T&T and what we have seen is the unseemly disgusting tirades in and out of Parliament as they use the issue of crime in general and the Anti-Gang legislation as a political weapon with which to attack the other,” Abdulah contended.
He added, “Crime must not be used as a political football in T&T because crime affects all of us, regardless of party affiliation communities in which we live, gender age, demographics. It affects all of us and it should not be used as a political football, so we condemn both political parties for the way we address the issue.