Ramesh seeks justice abroad

THE People’s National Movement (PNM) Government has lost “all moral authority” to pass laws in Trinidad and Tobago and former Attorney-General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj intends to bring this to the attention of several international bodies. Commenting on the apparent failure of AG Glenda Morean to bring new legislation when Parliament resumed sittings last Friday, Maharaj declared that the PNM had no right to pass laws in Parliament when it was guilty of breaking the laws of the land. “There is a complete breakdown of governance by laws,” he claimed. Maharaj further alleged that Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s Cabinet has taken upon itself to amend laws as it sees fit. The former AG said that he intends to raise the matter with the International Committee of Jurists, the United Nations and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Maharaj said the six-week break provided sufficient time for Morean to ensure that the legislative package she promised to bring to Parliament was ready. That package includes legislation to implement the Caribbean Court of Justice and approve declaration of assets forms that will be used by the Integrity Commission. Maharaj also disclosed that he has a “major shocker” in store for both the PNM and the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) and the internal elections of both parties will not prepare them for it. The UNC is due to hold its elections towards year’s end while the PNM holds its annual convention in October. While it appears that no one will challenge Manning for the post of PNM Political Leader, his UNC counterpart Basdeo Panday has expressed uncertainty about standing for re-election. Panday has publicly expressed his desire to retire from active politics at age 70. St Augustine MP Winston Dookeran has been touted as Panday’s successor but has publicly denied that he is interested in becoming UNC leader.