Ramesh plans June rally

The rally, Maharaj said, is aimed at sensitising the public to human rights violations taking place today. He confirmed that discussions have already been held with Jackson in an effort to have the internationally renowned human rights advocate speak in this country.

Maharaj said disorder within the judiciary; the planned eviction of several residents from Port-of-Spain; runaway crime; corruption and inequality of treatment, are topics that will be addressed at the meeting which is carded for Sunday June 4, 2006.

Maharaj said Jackson is expected to be joined by current United States civil rights leader as well as former US congressman, Mervyn Dymally. The rally is being organised by the Civil Rights Association of Trinidad and Tobago (CRATT) which Maharaj leads.

Maharaj said yesterday the issue involving the Attorney General, Prime Minister, the Chief Magistrate and Chief Justice was of extreme importance since the independence of the judiciary was a cause for major concern among the populace.

Several local cases where human rights came to the fore, Maharaj said, and which are engaging the attention of the High Court include the case of the Chatham/Cape de Ville residents against construction by ALCOA of a smelter plant in Cedros.

Another case was the construction of a stadium in Tarouba Village, San Fernando and another lawsuit by former sugar workers for their continued wait for agricultural and residental lands following the closure of Caroni (1975) Limited.