Opposition Leader: Our democracy faces its biggest threat under Keith Rowley

As we join the international community in commemorating International Day of Democracy on the theme: “Strengthening democratic resilience in the face of future crises”, the Opposition is extremely concerned over the state of our democracy under the PNM.

Even as we face the impacts of the ongoing pandemic, Trinidad and Tobago is facing a direct threat from a Government intent on trampling on citizens’ rights and freedoms, using the health crisis as cover.

This Rowley-led administration has taken steps to avoid transparency and accountability in every area of governance, and has gone so far as to try to push through unconstitutional legislation through the Parliament, by removing special majority clauses, as is the case with the Revenue Authority Bill.

Even today they are forcing an EBC order through the Parliament to gerrymander or in this case, “Rowleymander” the electoral boundaries to disenfranchise a large portion of the population of Tobago – a further attack on our democracy.

Furthermore, this PNM Government has failed to provide a single explanation for the extension of the State of Emergency, which curtails citizens’ rights.

The party I lead, the United National Congress, will use every tool at our disposal to stop this trampling of our rights by this Rowley regime.