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00:37Beyond the Tape, we'll be back after these messages.
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02:35How am I? I cool, I real good.
02:38I try to be invisible when they reach home, but they see me.
02:43They always see me.
02:44Oh, how am I? My parents?
02:46They're doing great.
02:47Everybody's well.
02:48I have bruises and marks that I have to make up stories about when people ask.
02:54What they say? I fall off my bike. You know how it is?
02:57They beat me up and I'm tired of lying.
03:01Once, just once, I want to say no, I'm not fine.
03:05Please someone, just help me.
03:20Children have rights.
03:56Good evening, Trinidad and Tobago and those of you who are locked on internationally.
03:59This is Beyond the Tape. I'm your host Whitney Husbands and we're smack in the middle of the week.
04:04A short week at that, but today is Legally Speaking Wednesdays.
04:07And with that being said, of course, we have one of the top legal minds in the country
04:10that could assist us and guide the citizens and give us you know how to operate
04:15when it comes to the laws of the land of Trinidad and Tobago.
04:18And those of you will definitely have the opportunity to engage with none other than our favorite host on a
04:23Wednesday
04:23and our attorney at law, Mr. Zahir Ali.
04:26Of course, he is the director of policy in the Ministry of Homeland Security
04:30and a gentleman, let's just say, who is always willing to step up to the plate when necessary.
04:36Good evening to you, Sue.
04:37Good evening to you, Whitney.
04:39And, you know, let me begin early o'clock by mentioning to Trinidad and Tobago
04:44that you are not only a host on Beyond the Tape, but in the days that would have gone by,
04:50you would have demonstrated your interest and your passion for the people of Trinidad and Tobago
04:54and by extension the vulnerable youth in Trinidad and Tobago
04:58by your presence at the recently concluded symposium.
05:01And I want to say publicly, thank you very much for that.
05:03It demonstrates that you are not only in a position to only speak about issues, but you are there to
05:09also contribute meaningfully to those issues.
05:11So I want to thank you very much for that.
05:14Should I say to Jackie allowing you to attend that event?
05:19But, you know, Jackie, thank you very much.
05:21I know that while you may not have been actively present, your mind, your heart is engaged in the symposium.
05:26As a matter of fact, moments ago and you would have been privy to it.
05:29Yes.
05:29I saw her passion and her interest for the young people in Trinidad and Tobago.
05:34So, Jackie, thank you very much and to your team as well.
05:36To the citizenry of Trinidad and Tobago, most importantly, a very, very important stakeholder.
05:40I've always referred to them, Whitney, as, you know, you always have three institutions of the state,
05:45but I look at them as a very important institution.
05:48The citizenry, important in many different ways.
05:53And, you know, I want to hold onto your hand again this afternoon and most certainly as well,
05:57all my law enforcement colleagues in the various agencies.
06:01We have seen that they are facing a mammoth task in relation to what's happening with crime and criminality.
06:05But, like always, it's a pleasure to be here and I know that we have a very interesting hour ahead.
06:10Of course, very interesting.
06:11And you spoke about the young people and how we have to be invested in the young people.
06:15And we are seeing from the symposium, let's start off from there, from last Thursday,
06:19quickly for persons to understand a little more context and what took place there
06:24because it was really only vulnerable youth.
06:26And we are seeing as young as 14-year-olds committing serious crimes in the country as of yesterday that
06:32we mentioned.
06:33Yes.
06:33Where are we since the symposium?
06:35Well, a beautiful question, Whitney, and I'm happy that you're related to current events.
06:38If one wanted a justification, whether in fact we are the topic or the focus or the target audience
06:45when we look at vulnerable youth, you have just identified that within the last couple of hours,
06:49we are seeing young people getting themselves involved in very serious criminal activities.
06:55So if you wanted any justification for the symposium, you have ongoing and current events continue to unfold.
07:01So I'm happy that you asked that question.
07:03I'll continue to say that I think that the symposium was hatched in perhaps the heavens
07:10because there are a lot of things that were occurring and the symposium would have generated deep dialogue, deep discussions,
07:17and you were there for the second half and you would have also been engaged in relation to what is
07:22happening.
07:22Now, the areas that I would like to touch quickly, Whitney, for too long in Trinidad Island to begin my
07:29respect with you,
07:30we are always looking out of the jurisdiction, whether international or regionally, to look for a solution for our problem.
07:37That symposium, we had our state actors and our non-state actors coming together and having very important dialogue
07:45with the expectation that we will develop a solution or resolution to treat our culture, our tradition, and our people.
07:54So that, in my view, was a very, very big and salient point.
07:57The second thing is having the various agencies who are directly relevant when we are speaking about vulnerability,
08:05having them in that particular auditorium, it removed barriers, it removed bureaucracy,
08:11it opened and attracted frank and open discussions, you know, looking at various agencies, offices,
08:17and see how best we can get together. So that was a big point for me in terms of the
08:20second issue.
08:21And the third issue is an undertaking. I saw a drive when I saw the chief medical officer present,
08:28when I saw the hierarchy of the Ministry of Education, when I saw the Ministry of Social Development,
08:33when I saw the Children's Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service,
08:37international partners, the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Psychologists,
08:40the University of the West Indies, criminology department, sociology department,
08:47the psychology department, and then, you know, the professors, the doctors, Dr. Esna,
08:51Dr. Randy C. Passard, Dr. Christine, you know, it really created that sort of environment.
08:57As a matter of fact, I myself thought I was a student as well, you know, looking at the discussions
09:02and the contributions.
09:03So I'm very much excited, Whitney, and I urge the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to get involved, you know,
09:11because on Monday, we're going to have a very deliberate debrief, looking at the medium, long-term,
09:17but most importantly, immediate, short-term steps we can take to at least assist in treating with crime and criminality
09:25in Trinidad and Tobago.
09:26It is clear that we are on hard enforcement, which has its place, but equally important,
09:33there must be an equal balance in terms of what we consider the secondary intervention to ensure that we're giving
09:38ourselves,
09:39Trinidad and Tobago, that is, the best opportunity and making sure, or I say ensuring,
09:43that every single stakeholder who has a role or responsibility, whether hard enforcement, soft enforcement, are coming to the table.
09:51Now, we will dive in a little bit more later down in the show with regards to what's the place
09:55at the symposium on Thursday,
09:57because we have a special guest who will be joining us on the phone a little bit later.
10:01But as we move forward, we spoke about the vulnerable youth, and speaking of that, and I mentioned where last
10:07week we saw,
10:09or actually this week, where we saw young persons being involved in heinous crimes,
10:12and one of those crimes, we are seeing a second minor arrested in connection with the Valsane home invasion.
10:18Now, officers of the home invasion team arrested a 17-year-old male of Farm Road, St. Joseph,
10:24during an intelligence-led operation on Tuesday, the 17th March, 2026,
10:29in connection with a recent home invasion in Valsane Avenue, North Valsane.
10:34Now, two suspects, a 22-year-old male of Port of Spain, and a 14-year-old male of St.
10:41Joseph,
10:42were arrested on the day of the incident.
10:44A third suspect, who was armed, was fatally shot by police during efforts to apprehend him.
10:50Of course, the investigations continue.
10:52Mr. Ali, and this is what we are speaking of.
10:54Well, I'm happy that, again, that you basically compound it,
10:58because I wanted to register with the citizenry that we are seeing our vulnerable youth,
11:03and in some cases our children, getting involved in very serious criminal activities.
11:07And the question that must be asked is that what is accounting for this?
11:12How long this has been ongoing for persons like this to be attracted to crime and criminality?
11:17And it's important for us to look at this in a holistic manner,
11:20and I think that the symposium has now created the environment.
11:23And, you know, I really hope that these various stakeholders really, you know, take the opportunity,
11:29pull from the fountain of wisdom, experience, and knowledge.
11:32That is what that symposium would have brought together.
11:34And be able to move organizations, move institutions, move individuals.
11:39And, you know, when you had the Honorable Minister of Homeland Security as well,
11:42coming and giving the address in terms of urging, and I distinctly remember the question that he asked.
11:48And the question that the Homeland Security Minister asked, why are we here?
11:52And what was happening for us to be in this position?
11:55And it tells us over the period of time, over the years, you know, things are happening.
11:59And it's important that we make immediate intervention because, like in anything else, Whitney,
12:03if you throw a piece of paper here, and this resembles, and I'm sure Dr. C. Persaud, if you're listening
12:08to me,
12:09we have what they call the broken window staring.
12:11If you put a piece of paper here and leave it on the table, and someone comes in,
12:15the likelihood is that, okay, this probably is a piece of paper.
12:18You'll see another piece of paper.
12:19And then you may see a bottle.
12:20Then you may see a piece of lumber.
12:23And then it becomes, what, a dumb sight.
12:25Correct.
12:25But if you recognize one piece of paper and you take that piece of paper and you put it where
12:29it's supposed to be,
12:30then you're going to continue to preserve the purpose of this particular forum.
12:35So I think it's important for us to apply those theories, both the criminology, the psychology, the sociology.
12:41And may I recognize as well, Dr. Bodrum, in the sociology department, you know, very aggressive in terms of the
12:47importance of sociology
12:48because when you're looking at those young children or the vulnerable youths, the question is, who are they socializing with?
12:54Yes.
12:54Are they being attracted to gangs?
12:56And if so, what gangs are doing to attract them?
12:58And what the state and non-state actors are doing that is not attracting them?
13:02And these are very serious questions and we cannot be naive to it.
13:06We have to confront it because if we don't confront it with me, this is going to be a place
13:10that we would, that's correct.
13:12And it's important for us to confront.
13:13And may I say to you and members of the media, you also have a critical role to play in
13:19relation to how we move this process
13:21in relation to basically winning back Trinidad and Tobago.
13:25So I ask you all to play your role as well.
13:27Action now.
13:28It's all about action time.
13:30I love the wood.
13:30Right.
13:31And there's a situation that we saw earlier this morning, Mr. Ali, where a parent kidnapping
13:38that took place in the Aranguas area and it was very disturbing to see.
13:41Of course, we are still gathering more information as to what transpired here.
13:45Yes.
13:46It's an alleged doubles of vendor.
13:49Yes.
13:49That was kidnapped.
13:51Yes.
13:51And anyone with information, as you know, Mr. Ali.
13:54Yes.
13:54We ask persons to please call and send it to the relevant authorities.
13:58So let me say immediately with this, with this report of alleged kidnapping.
14:02Under the Kidnapping Act, sorry.
14:04Any person who is aware of a kidnapping and do not disclose the information to law enforcement
14:11can run into problems where the law is concerned.
14:13And let me repeat that.
14:14Under the Kidnapping Act, the Parliament has placed a duty and a responsibility on persons
14:19who may be aware of a kidnapping or a kidnapping that is about to take place.
14:23And they have a duty to report that matter.
14:25And may I say, equally important, any law enforcement officer or police officer who
14:30is in receipt of that intelligence, that information, and do not act properly on that
14:35information can also run into problems with the law.
14:38So very, very significant matter.
14:40When you're speaking about kidnapping with me, this is going against the indignity of
14:44the human being.
14:45Right.
14:45This is depriving someone freedom of movement, liberty, and right to their family.
14:50And in some cases, ransoms are demanded.
14:52So you're putting value on the individual.
14:55Very, very significant matter.
14:57And Trinidad and Tobago, let us all play our role because this could have been any one
15:01of us in Trinidad and Tobago.
15:04So I'm happy that you raise that as well for me to touch a little bit of law with reference
15:07to kidnapping.
15:08Watching that video was extremely scary.
15:10Of course, we continue the conversation.
15:11It's crime.
15:12Yes.
15:12And that's what's happening in the country.
15:14Right now, let's take a look at the update with the SOE as of March 18th, 2026.
15:20Number of operations, 1,393.
15:23Number of targets, priority offenders, 562.
15:28Searches conducted, 1,290.
15:31Traffic operations, 762.
15:34Total persons arrested, 580.
15:38Total persons charged, 121.
15:43Firearms recovered.
15:45We're seeing an increase again in the pistols, revolvers, shotguns, rifles, giving us a total
15:49of 37.
15:50Ammunition recovered, an increase of the 9mm.
15:53Also, the 5.56, the 0.45, and giving us a total of 1,152.
16:01And dangerous drug C's increased again with the cannabis and grams of cocaine.
16:05Mr. Ali.
16:06Well, I want to salute the law enforcement officer's efforts.
16:09Because every time I look at the figures in red, it shows that there's increases in those
16:13figures.
16:14And it's important, because that's a reflection of the work of law enforcement.
16:17And, you know, I ask law enforcement to continue to be developing your strategies.
16:21Do not leave a strategy to, you know…
16:24A flat line.
16:25That's correct.
16:25You need to always be thinking ahead of the criminal elements, because they are thinking,
16:29they are trying to evade you, and it's important for us to always be thinking ahead of them,
16:33and always looking to review our strategies to ensure that we're getting maximum under
16:38the superpowers that we have under the state of emergency.
16:40All right.
16:41Let's take a look at what's making today's headlines.
17:09Let's take a look at what's making today's headlines.
17:10Let's take a look at what's making today's headlines.
17:29And those were your stories making today's headlines.
17:31We're seeing it is a lot of tug of war with the criminal element and the TTPS.
17:35But the TTPS is not stepping down.
17:37They're trying their hardest to move forward.
17:39Ladies and gentlemen, we'll be taking your calls coming up next.
17:42So get ready to give us a call at 623-1711 extension 1996 and 1997 after the break.
17:48We'll be back.
18:09Let me see you rock off, rock off.
18:11Shake off, shake off.
18:13Let me see you rock off, rock off.
18:15Let me see you kick right, now kick left, now step forward, now step back.
18:18Lucas Aid, bring the energy.
18:21Now due to phenomenal public demand, Scandal and Cedrus now comes to Cipriani College for two nights only.
18:27Saturday the 28th of March at 8.30pm and Sunday the 29th at 6.30pm.
18:31This is theatre at its finest and funniest.
18:35Don't miss it.
18:36Box office opens at Cipriani College on Monday the 23rd of March, 12 noon to 6pm daily.
18:42Tickets available now at usual outlets and online.
18:46Scandal and Cedrus.
18:47Cipriani College, we coming!
18:50Scandal and Cedrus!
19:40I will not get your way.
19:42I will not get your attention before you get your attention.
19:42Chief wants your attention to the jury of the trial, and to me tell them we are going to come.
19:42The judge姿, that's not your attention when they got caught.
19:45I took the bullet.
19:47I to Fiat' my blue sain.
19:47Material by himself.
19:47You have to groom them. First, you have to target them. Scope them out. See if they have low self
19:54-esteem. Family problems, you know? Then you move in and gain the trust. After that, you feel a need. Some
20:03of them like nice things like fancy phones, hairdos, clothes, food. You have ones who are only looking for somebody
20:10to care and listen to the problems. You feel me?
20:14What's important, though? You have to isolate them from the people. Let them believe it's all about you and them.
20:24Then you'll get through. Nice, nice.
20:27Look one right in. Try a thing now.
20:38A message from the counter-trafficking unit of the Ministry of National Security.
20:52And welcome back to Trinidad and Tobago. Of course, it's Legally Speaking Wednesdays and we have our attorney at law,
20:58Mrs. Zari Ali.
20:59And we were speaking about the symposium last Thursday and we mentioned before when we opened the show that we
21:04were diving a little bit more.
21:05We have an expert who was actually there and was able to engage and give her expertise.
21:10And she's well-known when it comes to studying the mind and understanding what is taking place with many of
21:16the situations happening in Trinidad and Tobago.
21:18We would like to welcome via phone call at this time, Dr. Sarah Suhan, a psychologist who is with us
21:24right now.
21:25Good evening to you, doctor.
21:27Good evening, Ms. Halston.
21:29Good evening to you, ma'am. How are you this evening?
21:31I'm doing well. Thank you for having me.
21:34Thanks for taking time.
21:36Now, I know time may be against us, but I want to know your thoughts about the symposium that took
21:40place on Thursday.
21:41And where are you seeing it going?
21:45Okay.
21:48Where is it going?
21:49Going, yeah, moving forward.
21:50The symposium included quite a few stakeholders, actually stakeholders in very important areas of our society, that not only included
22:02professionals, but in the audience with people with lived experience.
22:06So I see the symposium going in the direction of bringing experiences together, both professionals and vulnerable youth, because that's
22:15the population that we're looking at, right?
22:17So as we move forward, we look to have a collaboration between people or among people, right?
22:26Where we look at the whole person in interactions and decision making.
22:30So we had a young person there who called for greater inclusion of young people with lived experiences and discussions
22:36and program design.
22:37And I think this is really important that we move forward to include others.
22:42We also was able to come up with some very targeted policy interventions across sectors, including health, education, parenting, and
22:51support.
22:52So these recommendations would guide the group forward in terms of planning interventions and next steps.
22:58So we are seeing where, I mean, the focus was heavily on vulnerable youth.
23:03And with all the points that you gave me, and of course, all these studies moving forward, what could be
23:08done to help the parents in particular?
23:10Because it seems like that's where we're seeing some issues and laws need to now step in to hold parents
23:16accountable, as some people may say, or the majority of the nation may be saying at this time.
23:20Right, but when we look at parents, we want to understand what are the contributing factors, right?
23:27So when we say hold parents accountable, that is very important.
23:31But we also want to understand what is contributing to their style of parenting, right?
23:37What are the factors that are contributing to the way that they parent in their different types and styles of
23:44parenting?
23:44So when we talk about parents, it's important for us to understand where they're coming from, and maybe put out
23:52the programming information to guide parents.
23:57So having more programming that parents can actually access would be really important.
24:02Because sometimes people may not have had a positive parenting experience in their own life.
24:08For example, they didn't have moms or dads or caregivers, aunts or uncles, to show them the way.
24:13So they don't have examples of what to follow.
24:16So if we are able to provide parents with guidance, whether it's to the schools, communities, the health centers, where
24:23they can access support, and they can also access information to guide their parenting, I think that would be really
24:30helpful.
24:31I do want to leave our social media as well.
24:34I think right now a lot of people are on social media, and so that would be an accessible form
24:39of information.
24:40I will involve Mr. Ali as well with this said conversation, because I didn't really have a blueprint to become
24:47a parent.
24:48I used my parents as examples, and I'm sure many others did.
24:51There's no guideline to follow.
24:53But where we know where, yes, all this information will be disseminated to the public and to parents who are
24:59willing to take that information.
25:01What about those who are not willing?
25:03They really don't care their own business.
25:04And also, you need to see rates where persons are unable to even read the information that is out there.
25:11Where are you all with that?
25:13Okay.
25:15You would like me to answer, Mr. Ali?
25:16You can go ahead, doctor.
25:17You can go ahead.
25:18Yeah, okay.
25:19Well, when it comes to that, then we need proper interventions and programming, right?
25:24So, we need indicators that things might be going wrong.
25:30So, a child does not just show up one day with a big presence in an issue or exposure in
25:36the classroom, right?
25:37Usually, that is indicated by small behaviors along the way.
25:42So, if we're able to monitor those, right, then we're more likely to access parents earlier.
25:48So, if at that point in time, we call parents in maybe to be schooled, right, or even you take
25:54them to the doctor and you notice signs of abuse, signs of neglect, and you call parents in, and there's
25:59a more coordinated approach among agencies, then you're more likely to highlight those parents who may not be taking care
26:06of their children the way they're supposed to, and parents who may need to be held accountable by different forms.
26:13Ms. Ali?
26:14Yeah, Dr. Subban, thank you very much for joining us this afternoon.
26:16And I have just one question for you.
26:18Having participated actively and been one of the moderators and a very important panel in terms of the policy aspect,
26:24what would you like to see in going forward post the symposium?
26:29Well, I would like to say that we use the information that came out of the symposium in a way
26:35where it becomes actionable steps that is responsive to the community needs.
26:40So, based on the policy indications that were provided to us, and also the lived experiences of youth and stakeholders,
26:50I think it would be really important to establish a clear implementation timeline so we know what are the next
26:56steps, and this would be actively monitored and evaluated as we move forward.
27:01For accountability and adaptability as well.
27:04Now, doctor, what do you say to persons where they're saying it's action time?
27:08Where can we begin?
27:10Even if without the experts stepping in and persons who are listening and may want to contribute to their community?
27:17Well, you start small, right?
27:19You start small.
27:20And, I mean, I can give you an example of myself.
27:23In my community, if I see something that raises a red flag to me, if I see someone is in
27:29need, right, and then something that might be harmful to a time, I raise an alarm.
27:36Maybe not a loud alarm, but I connect with the services that are available.
27:39I connect with professionals.
27:41But sometimes I, myself, lend a helping hand, right?
27:45So, I would say you start small in your community.
27:47You see where their needs are.
27:49And if you can help in reaching those needs, go ahead.
27:53If not, and you need to reach out an NGO or a public service agency, then it will go.
27:59Anything else you would like to say before we wrap things up, Dr. Suwan?
28:03I would just like to say, I would just like to add that as a nation, I think it's important
28:10for all of us to see our roles individually.
28:12Because if we look to organizations only or even less for the government to make a big step, that may
28:23not reach every individual that needs the help.
28:25But if we all take some form of social responsibility in our host and in our community, I think that
28:32can go a long way.
28:33We have to continue pushing through.
28:35Thank you so much, Dr. Sarah Suwan, for being here with us, our psychologist this evening, who was part of
28:40the symposium on Thursday.
28:42We appreciate your expertise and, of course, the information that you gave us.
28:45And hopefully, persons who are listening could use that as some of the tools moving forward and also do their
28:50own research.
28:51Thank you so much, Dr.
28:54All right, I believe she's gone.
28:56Mr. Ali, I mean, this is a moment where we got a little snippet of what some of the experts
29:03gave when we were at the symposium last Thursday.
29:06Well, what is exciting, Whitney, and I'm speaking from the bottom of my heart here now, this platform here, and
29:13I'm sure you and Jackie can support me, has been dominated by law enforcement.
29:19And naturally so.
29:20And I think that what we are doing here as a team, both TTPS, CC, and TV6, and by extension
29:26other stakeholders, is clearly opening the door, or I may say the windows, to ensure that other professionals and experts
29:34who are equally important to respond to crime and criminality also join in any discussion.
29:40So it's no longer saying, okay, what the TTPS is doing, what Ministry of Homeland Security is doing, because they
29:47are capable, educated, competent, and persons who are ready to move in the direction of correcting Trinidad and Tobago.
29:54And you see that word that she used?
29:56It manifested with me.
29:57That social responsibility, and I want to dub it in the context where we all have a social contract with
30:04the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in terms of looking at it from a constitutional issue.
30:09And that social contract, for example, we have the right to life, safety, and security of the person.
30:15We hold firm to that.
30:16We have other rights that are very important for us.
30:20And just as we enjoy those rights, it's important for us, not as non-state actors, to infringe on that
30:27right for law enforcement to have to step in because you are affecting another person's right to life, security, and
30:33safety.
30:33So I think it's a very important term that she has used.
30:36And I think that that's the way that we need to think in terms of from a social context or
30:41a responsibility, but recognizing that we may have letters behind our name, many letters behind our name, a lot of
30:48experience, a lot of knowledge, wisdom.
30:51The question that we have to ask ourselves Trinidad and Tobago, are we using those blessings that the Almighty has
30:56given to us to be able to move our society and a society in most instances that would have given
31:01to us?
31:02Every day we walk into the society, we go into the market, someone is planting that crop.
31:07We go to the store, someone is buying that product to sell for us.
31:10We go to the institution for medical intervention, someone is rendering that medical.
31:15Look right on this platform here.
31:17Jackie is persevering to ensure that the public, together with yourself, is now informed into what is happening in Trinidad
31:23and Tobago.
31:24So it's a real conversation.
31:26And Dr. Subhan and other members of the steering committee, I want to thank you all very much.
31:29And let us continue to open up the resolutions or the solutions for Trinidad and Tobago.
31:35Yes, I would say we have the tools, don't leave it to rust.
31:38We take that break.
31:38When we come back, we open up the phone lines.
31:40We'll be back.
31:45We'll be back.
32:08We'll be back.
32:17We'll be back.
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33:55Ah, boy.
33:59I feel like I'm going to buy myself a seniorita tonight.
34:03Nah, nah, nah.
34:04You know you might be promoting slavery.
34:07Slavery?
34:08Mm-hmm.
34:08What are you talking about?
34:10Hey, modern-day slavery or human trafficking
34:13is just what some of these people just do.
34:16You know some of these women were tricked to come here?
34:21Some are held against their will,
34:24abused,
34:25and even beaten.
34:27Most times, the girls don't even see any of the money that is paid for them.
34:31Every night,
34:32they just have to come out looking nice and sexy
34:35for somebody like you.
34:38Human trafficking is a serious problem
34:40and a serious crime.
34:42Persons who solicit commercial sex services
34:44may be contributing to human trafficking.
34:47A message from the Counter-Trafficking Unit
34:49of the Ministry of National Security.
35:03And we are back.
35:04It's Legally Speaking Wednesdays.
35:05We have Mr. Ali here with us,
35:07and no worries,
35:07we'll be heading to the phone line shortly.
35:09But I want to show
35:10what I mentioned earlier,
35:12Mr. Ali,
35:13the trouble war
35:13with the criminal element
35:15and the TTPS
35:15and the TTPS
35:17not backing down.
35:17Now, according to a media release,
35:19we're seeing 15 arrested
35:21firearms,
35:22ammunition,
35:22drugs,
35:23cannabis,
35:23plants seized
35:24in nationwide operations
35:26from Central Division
35:28seizing
35:29cocaine,
35:30guns,
35:31ammunition,
35:32San Fernando.
35:33We're seeing it once again
35:34with the ammunition
35:36being seized
35:36and drugs,
35:37cannabis,
35:38plants,
35:39Northern Division
35:39where we're seeing
35:40$1,800
35:41in suspected fraud,
35:43forged TNT currency,
35:45that is,
35:46and Western Division.
35:47We're seeing more ammunition
35:48being seized
35:49with guns,
35:50operations
35:51in the Port of Spain
35:52Division,
35:53St. Paul Street,
35:54St. George Street
35:56as well
35:56with ammunition
35:57being seized,
35:59heading to
36:00Bitham Gardens
36:01as well.
36:02We are seeing
36:02ammunition,
36:03guns being found
36:04and retrieved
36:05St. Joseph area
36:06persons are arrested
36:07in connection
36:08with recent
36:08home invasion.
36:09Additionally,
36:10we are seeing
36:11in the Valencia district
36:12where they are finding
36:13guns and more
36:15ammunition as well.
36:17So,
36:18the TTPS continues
36:19to pull out
36:20that toggle war,
36:21Ms. Ali.
36:21Well,
36:22that's without a doubt,
36:24Whitney,
36:24and you know,
36:24when a state of emergency
36:26have been declared
36:26in Trinidad and Tobago,
36:27it is clear that
36:28the intelligence suggests
36:30that persons have acted
36:32or about to act
36:32in a manner that is
36:33prejudicial to public safety
36:34and security
36:35and the parliament,
36:37the government
36:37have afforded this tool
36:38and it's important
36:39for the TTPS
36:40to continue
36:40to ramp up
36:41those efforts
36:41and reading
36:42those statistics,
36:44it's very troubling
36:46that these
36:47very dangerous
36:48items and objects
36:49within the population
36:51of Trinidad and Tobago,
36:52I want to urge
36:52the TTPS
36:53and by extension
36:54other supporting
36:55law enforcement agencies,
36:56the TTDF,
36:58even the municipal police
36:59and other agencies
37:00to join in this fight
37:02to support this cause
37:03for Trinidad and Tobago.
37:04We all live here.
37:06Do not be selfish
37:07at this moment.
37:08That selfishness
37:09could just cause us
37:11our own demise.
37:13Let us see it like that.
37:14Let us see it,
37:15you know,
37:15beyond ourselves
37:16that we need to save
37:18the Trinidad and Tobago.
37:20We need to restore
37:21safety and security
37:22and, you know,
37:22I salute the TTPS
37:23for the efforts
37:24that they are making as well
37:25and just above your finger
37:26with Niamh Sin,
37:27four women rescued
37:28in a human trafficking bus
37:30to demonstrate
37:31that right under our eyes
37:34that the dignity
37:35of the human being
37:36from a female context
37:36has been exploited.
37:38Very, very serious matters.
37:40Exploitation in Trinidad
37:41and Tobago.
37:41And I want to acknowledge
37:42the work of the Ministry
37:44of Homeland Security
37:44and the Counter-Trafficking Unit
37:46for the response as well.
37:47So, I just had to comment
37:48on those issues.
37:49No problem.
37:50We have to do phone lines
37:50at this time.
37:51Caller, good evening.
37:53I'm going to say
37:53good evening
37:54to two of my favorite presenters.
37:55Good evening to you, sir.
37:57Mr. Ali,
37:58I'm not going to call names.
37:59You can call the name
38:00when I call the office.
38:03About three years ago,
38:05or a little bit more,
38:07we were promised
38:07on this same program
38:10that you all were bringing
38:11somebody from the firearm department
38:15to explain the pros
38:16and cons about firearms.
38:19We had a discussion
38:20for a suggestion
38:22with respect to a booklet.
38:24Now, I don't want somebody
38:25to come to say
38:26anything to do with application
38:28because application
38:29has to go with one man
38:31with the commissioner.
38:32So, you don't have to talk
38:34about application.
38:35But that's the pros
38:36and cons of fire,
38:39rules and regulation
38:40as one.
38:42The other issue,
38:43sometime around that same time,
38:47from the budget,
38:49it was said
38:50that we will be having
38:51a thousand additional police
38:54every year
38:55added to the present contingent.
38:59Can you give any update
39:01from that time
39:02to know
39:04what has really been added?
39:07I would listen over.
39:08Thank you, sir.
39:09Ms. Ali.
39:09Well, Kola,
39:10I'd like to respond to you.
39:11Unfortunately,
39:12I do not have the statistics
39:13in terms of the second issue
39:14that you raised
39:14in terms of the recruitment
39:15in the Trinidad
39:16and Tobago police service.
39:17Perhaps the commissioner
39:18of police
39:18or maybe a deputy commissioner
39:19may be in the best position
39:21or maybe the head
39:22of the training college.
39:22But I think it's
39:23a very significant matter
39:24and I understand
39:25where you're going
39:25in terms of
39:26augmenting the strength
39:27to be able to deal
39:28with the demand
39:28for professional policing
39:30in Trinidad and Tobago.
39:30But your first issue
39:31in relation to the firearms issue,
39:33I am aware
39:34that you have requested
39:35and other persons
39:36have requested
39:38to have someone
39:39come and speak
39:40on that particular issue.
39:41But you have basically
39:42raised a nerve in me
39:43and I'll basically
39:44share something with you.
39:45Based on my present dispensation
39:47as director of policy
39:48in the Ministry of Homeland Security
39:49and based on discussions
39:51with the Ministry of Homeland Security
39:53and other officials,
39:55I've also embarked
39:56on directive
39:57on looking at a reform
39:59of the firearm regime
40:00in Trinidad and Tobago.
40:01And I know that
40:02that has been sundered off
40:03in the public domain.
40:05The Honorable Prime Minister
40:05have spoken about this
40:06in terms of making it
40:08more efficient,
40:09making the process more easy
40:11and also the firearm dealers
40:12have also cried out
40:13in relation to this area.
40:14So I want to give the undertaking
40:15that we are also looking heavily
40:16in relation to this process
40:18and a policy position
40:19will also be going forward.
40:20And may I say
40:21that I'm going to take
40:22the opportunity
40:22with the authority
40:24of the Minister
40:24to also be engaging
40:26a wide cross-section
40:27of stakeholders
40:27with expertise
40:29in relation to developing
40:30the firearm regime
40:31in Trinidad and Tobago.
40:32I don't want to disclose
40:33too much as yet,
40:34but it's an area
40:34that we are going to look at.
40:35So thanks for bringing it,
40:37thanks for refreshing it,
40:38and let's see what happens
40:39in the next couple of weeks.
40:40All right.
40:41We have another caller
40:42on the line.
40:43Caller, good evening.
40:44Hello, good evening.
40:45Good evening, ma'am.
40:46Evening to the panel.
40:48Officer, you listen
40:49to that doctor,
40:50I could imagine
40:51that seminar must have been
40:52really very, very great.
40:53Just listening to that
40:54you know, what she shared.
40:56Now, Officer Ali,
40:58people keep saying
41:00about why you don't use
41:01the death penalty,
41:02why you don't use
41:02the death penalty,
41:03and they say
41:03the death penalty
41:04can't be used.
41:05But what will happen
41:06is that people
41:07will take very long
41:08for the cases
41:09so you'll reach
41:10after five days
41:11so that they will not
41:13be able to use
41:13the death penalty
41:14on them.
41:15And the people
41:16who are doing
41:16the wrong thing,
41:17they know that.
41:18They know that
41:18they will continue
41:19to do what they have to do.
41:21And just,
41:22just all people
41:23as though it's a joke.
41:24That's my first one.
41:25My second point is,
41:26I remember that
41:27we saw yesterday
41:29the two females
41:30who were in this area
41:31where they take
41:32with, you're just
41:33stealing people's things.
41:34I don't know
41:35how they were caught.
41:35But I saw in another
41:36program where
41:37their names were called.
41:39If you put somebody
41:40who knows,
41:42get some information,
41:43their names were called.
41:44So I know
41:45what will happen
41:45to them.
41:46I know,
41:47I remember one time
41:47in the U.S.,
41:49when I went to a store,
41:50I saw some pictures
41:51in the store,
41:53postlessness.
41:54So I asked them,
41:55what are those pictures
41:56for?
41:56They get like,
41:57somebody must see what.
41:58And they told me,
41:59you know what pictures
42:00are there?
42:00It's people who
42:01they found stealing
42:02in their stores.
42:03Put some pictures
42:04there, you know.
42:05And I would like
42:06to see that
42:06internet ad,
42:07that sometimes
42:08when people steal
42:09something,
42:10and they come in,
42:11so as they come
42:11through the door,
42:12a loud noise
42:13with me,
42:14because that happens
42:14in America.
42:15I would like to see
42:16that happen
42:16in trying to stop
42:17stealing,
42:18because at times
42:18like this,
42:19when people know
42:20that you have camera,
42:21you're just going
42:21and interfering
42:22with people's things,
42:22so I know
42:23they will get caught.
42:23My last point
42:24is concerning
42:25the SOE.
42:26It seems like
42:27that with the SOE,
42:28people feel
42:29they can do
42:29what they want,
42:30when they want,
42:30how they want,
42:31and all sorts
42:31of things they're doing.
42:32But I would like
42:33to find out,
42:34Officer Ali,
42:35can the PDO
42:36be used
42:38when there's
42:39no SOE,
42:40because I'm
42:41seeing where
42:41they're using it,
42:42the PDO,
42:43and to catch
42:45certain persons,
42:46can that be used
42:47in the absence
42:48of an SU SOE?
42:49Thank you very much.
42:50God bless all of you,
42:51and all of you
42:52get home safely.
42:53Thank you so much,
42:53Caller,
42:54Mr. Ali.
42:54We'll respond
42:54to the call
42:55when we get back.
42:56We'll take that break.
42:57We'll be back.
43:26We'll be back.
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44:10I am your mother,
44:13aunt,
44:13grandmother,
44:15guardian,
44:15friend,
44:16and I promise
44:17to protect you
44:18in all situations
44:19because someone
44:21has hurt you,
44:22violated you,
44:24harmed you,
44:25abused you,
44:26and you were
44:27brave enough
44:28to tell me
44:28you trusted me.
44:31You came to me
44:31for help,
44:32to defend,
44:33for support,
44:35to protect you.
44:37No amount of money
44:39or bribes,
44:40favors,
44:42or gifts
44:43will stop you.
44:44You are most
44:45important to me.
44:47You are worth
44:48more to me
44:49than any material.
44:51I will do
44:52all in my power,
44:53in my heart,
44:55to make sure
44:56that you
44:56are taken care of,
44:58and that justice
44:59is served,
45:01and you thrive.
45:02Together my daughter,
45:04my son,
45:05my child,
45:06we will live
45:07and love.
45:08I will protect you.
45:10Break the silence.
45:12Report all cases
45:13of child sexual abuse.
45:21I can dance.
45:23I can sing.
45:25I can speak.
45:27I have ideas.
45:29I can debate.
45:31I can reason.
45:33I can write.
45:35I can draw.
45:37I can paint.
45:39I can protest.
45:41I can stand up
45:43for my rights.
45:44And I can enjoy
45:46my rights.
45:48I have the right
45:49to express myself.
45:52Children have rights.
46:21And we are back,
46:22Mr. Ali.
46:22you can respond
46:23to the caller.
46:24Caller,
46:24thank you very much
46:25for your very strong
46:26points that you have
46:27raised this afternoon.
46:28And permit me to deal
46:29with two of the issues
46:29which I think is important
46:30for public information
46:31as well.
46:32I'll deal with the issue
46:32of the death penalty.
46:34I've said many times
46:35on this program
46:36that the death penalty
46:37is in the law books
46:39of Trinidad and Tobago.
46:40The important thing here
46:41is,
46:41and I hope that the
46:42decision makers
46:43are listening,
46:44you know,
46:45and I say this humbly
46:46and respectfully,
46:47that a former
46:48Attorney General,
46:49Senior Counsel Ramish
46:50Lawrence Mirage
46:51would have advised.
46:52But it's important
46:52for us to manage
46:53when a conviction
46:54is handed down,
46:55to manage the appeal
46:56through the Court of Appeal,
46:57the Privy Council,
46:58and if they are
46:59human rights body
47:00to ensure that
47:00that is properly managed
47:01so that the Pratt and Morgan
47:03ruling in terms of
47:04ensuring that all appeal
47:05is exhausted
47:06within a five-year period,
47:07you will have access
47:08to the death penalty.
47:09So it's about
47:10administrative management
47:11of those appeals
47:14and to ensure
47:14that it's exhausted
47:15within five years.
47:15In the alternative,
47:18it's important for us
47:19to have a look
47:19at the Constitution
47:20and see whether,
47:20in fact,
47:21a time may come
47:22for us to look
47:23at an aggressive
47:24reform of the Constitution
47:25to ensure that we have
47:28access to the death penalty
47:30to be able to cause
47:30a deterrent in Trinidad
47:31and Tobago.
47:32So that's the first point.
47:33The second issue
47:34in relation to
47:34the preventive detention order.
47:36Whitney,
47:36that is afforded
47:37to the Honorable Minister
47:38when there are special powers
47:40that are given
47:40case in point,
47:41the state of emergency.
47:42That's for the Minister
47:43where he is moved
47:45by law enforcement
47:46that a person
47:47is acting about
47:47an act in a manner
47:48prejudicial to public safety
47:49and he is used
47:51a detention order
47:51to prevent
47:53any harm
47:54to the public safety.
47:55In the absence
47:56of being in a state
47:57of emergency,
47:58we have our
47:59anti-gang legislation
48:00that creates a power
48:02for detention orders.
48:03It is not as strong,
48:05I should say,
48:05as the SOE
48:07or the Emergency Powers Regulation,
48:08but you still have
48:08the power
48:09to make application
48:10for detention orders
48:11to assist in your investigation.
48:12Where I would like to go
48:13and I am strongly
48:15thinking about it as well
48:16from a criminal context,
48:17from a policy
48:18dealing with
48:19organized crime
48:19and gang crime,
48:21that is perhaps
48:22an area that we need
48:23to look at
48:23to see whether
48:23we can now develop
48:24more stringent
48:26detention powers
48:27to give the law
48:27enforcement agencies
48:28sufficient time
48:29to be able to
48:29gather evidence
48:30and be able to
48:31prosecute persons.
48:32But SOE powers,
48:34Emergency Powers Regulations,
48:35by their very nature,
48:37they are special powers
48:38so you will have things
48:39like preventative orders.
48:40But in another realm,
48:42laws that are going
48:43through the entire process
48:44of parliament
48:44must have the respect
48:45for the rights
48:47and liberty
48:48of the person.
48:48We are back to the 4-9
48:50scholar.
48:50Good evening.
48:54Hello?
48:55Yeah, good evening,
48:55Mr. Subban.
48:56Good evening, sir.
48:57Director Ali.
48:58Good evening to you, sir.
48:59Sir, I want to pose
49:02this question to you
49:04based on what I've been
49:07hearing about this seminar
49:08and with respect
49:10to all the stakeholders
49:12that participate.
49:14From my vantage
49:16and using the Pareto principle,
49:20I believe crime
49:22would be significantly
49:24mitigated, prevented,
49:26if we have
49:29a functional
49:32TTPs
49:34organization,
49:36particularly
49:36with the population
49:39of the human resource.
49:40And why I'm saying that?
49:41I am saying that
49:43because we have
49:43a lingering perception,
49:46true or false,
49:47but it has been
49:48documented
49:50and I'm hoping
49:51that I've brought it
49:53yesterday or the
49:54before into the public domain.
49:55the Garvin's court report
49:58where he said
50:0030 to 50 percent
50:03of the police officers
50:05are complicit.
50:07If we,
50:08from that benchmark,
50:10if we come forward,
50:12it is still plague.
50:15The TTPs
50:16tells us
50:17there's only a few,
50:19but the people
50:21who have the information
50:23as the learned judge
50:25at that point in time,
50:27together
50:27with the TTPs
50:29or the chairman,
50:30when he said
50:30the TTPs
50:31is the biggest gang,
50:33how can I
50:34as a citizen
50:36have confidence?
50:38I am saying
50:39if the police service
50:41has the testicular
50:42fortitude
50:43to discipline
50:44both senior
50:45and junior person
50:47and cleanse the organization,
50:48we will solve
50:5050, 60 percent
50:51of what is happening.
50:54All right,
50:56Mr. Ali.
50:57Well, you know,
50:57Kola...
50:58Those are serious claims.
50:59I mean, 50 percent?
51:01That means
51:02we'll be running wild?
51:03Yeah, Kola,
51:04I mean,
51:04you have raised
51:04some very,
51:05very strong,
51:06strong matters
51:06and, you know,
51:07I myself
51:08didn't have the opportunity
51:09to read that report
51:09that you're referring to,
51:10but, you know,
51:11in reference to
51:12calling for accountability
51:13and transparency
51:14in state institutions,
51:17may I say
51:18that that symposium,
51:19while it was
51:20about early identification,
51:21prevention,
51:22and treatment,
51:23what is coming out
51:24of that symposium
51:25as well?
51:28Institutions
51:29are being held
51:29to account
51:30and the technocrats
51:32in the institutions
51:32are actually speaking
51:33about what they call
51:35systemic issues.
51:36And let me repeat
51:37that word,
51:38systemic issues
51:38in state institutions.
51:41And it's important
51:41for us,
51:42as I said before,
51:43to be full and frank
51:43in our discussions.
51:44So,
51:45in addition to
51:46human resource issues,
51:48the systemic issues
51:50are also of critical importance.
51:51And I'm happy
51:52that you are raising
51:52this issue
51:53because I always
51:54am encouraged
51:55by the citizenry
51:55getting involved
51:57in relation to
51:58where the discussions
51:58are concerned.
51:59But it's important
52:00for us to go back
52:01and look at these reports,
52:02have a read of these reports,
52:03see whether, in fact,
52:04these reports
52:05need to be fully
52:07ventilated with me
52:08to see whether, in fact,
52:09it is based on
52:10intelligence,
52:11whether it is based
52:12on information,
52:13whether it is based
52:14on evidence.
52:14So, you know,
52:15we need to look
52:15at these things properly.
52:16But, again,
52:17your point is taken
52:18and I respect
52:19the views
52:20of the members
52:20of the public.
52:21All right,
52:22we head back
52:22to the phone lines.
52:23We have a caller.
52:23Caller, good evening.
52:25Yes, good evening,
52:27the young debate.
52:28Good evening.
52:29I want to respond
52:30to or make a suggestion
52:33to the,
52:34to, to,
52:35to a call
52:36by this report
52:38of the people
52:39coming out
52:41of this symposium,
52:42where do we go
52:43from here?
52:45And then,
52:46Mr. Ali spoke
52:47about policy.
52:49I want to suggest
52:50you must have a broad,
52:53I want to call it,
52:54a perspective
52:54in terms of
52:56where we're going.
52:57And I want to suggest
52:58it must be a perspective
53:00that carries
53:02developing a culture
53:03of lawfulness
53:04and the role
53:05and the role
53:05of law.
53:06Right?
53:06That's what we
53:07have broad
53:07political perspective.
53:09And what that
53:10means is that
53:11you already
53:12have to be
53:13stakeholders there.
53:14So we have to
53:15develop a curriculum.
53:17And I want to suggest
53:18a curriculum
53:18which has been
53:19done in
53:20by Professor
53:21he called it
53:24leading above
53:24the moral line.
53:26Right?
53:27And giving you
53:27the whole aspect
53:28of how you
53:29develop
53:31people
53:32that here
53:32to law,
53:33order,
53:33morality,
53:34and justice.
53:35It is something
53:35that has been
53:36done locally
53:37in our,
53:38in our,
53:39in our university
53:40here,
53:40for the professor
53:41there.
53:42And he held
53:42a few of those
53:43seminars
53:44at the
53:45Artel of Jack.
53:46Right?
53:46I have to
53:49get hold
53:51of that
53:51particular
53:51opinion
53:52about
53:52the
53:54corporal
53:55alley.
53:56That would
53:56be a way
53:57forward.
53:57But the
53:58way forward
53:58is
53:58development
53:59of
53:59lawfulness
54:00and the
54:01rule of
54:01law
54:01and the
54:02curriculum.
54:03Right?
54:03Going
54:04fleshed out
54:04based on
54:05leading above
54:06the moral
54:06line.
54:07With all
54:07the stakeholders.
54:08So social
54:09media,
54:10the media,
54:11the school,
54:12the community,
54:13courtes,
54:13law enforcement,
54:15including
54:16the courts
54:17and the
54:17life.
54:18So wherever
54:18young people
54:19go,
54:20they might
54:20be bombarded
54:21with these
54:22tents of
54:23law,
54:23order,
54:24morality,
54:24and justice
54:25leading up
54:25the moral
54:26line.
54:27This is just
54:27my suggestion.
54:29Free
54:29gratis and
54:30for nothing.
54:30Think about
54:30it.
54:31Alright.
54:32Thank you so
54:32much,
54:32Kola.
54:33Kola,
54:33thank you
54:34very much.
54:34You're
54:34exciting me,
54:35Kola.
54:35I'll tell you
54:35why you're
54:36excited me.
54:36You actually
54:36placed something
54:37in my mind
54:37where I'm
54:38going to
54:38advise that
54:38steering
54:39committee
54:39very strongly
54:40that perhaps
54:41that the
54:42citizenry
54:43must have
54:43an opportunity,
54:45whether it
54:45be through
54:45an electronic
54:46format,
54:47whether through
54:47calling in
54:48persons,
54:48to also join
54:49any discussion
54:50because I'm
54:50happy when it
54:51excites you.
54:52And if
54:53something don't
54:53excite you,
54:54you will not
54:54have an interest
54:55in it.
54:55So I want to
54:55thank you and
54:56similarly across
54:57the citizens
54:57of Trinidad
54:58and Tobago.
54:58Whitney,
54:58I don't know
54:59how long we
54:59have again,
55:00how much time
55:01we have?
55:01We have a lot
55:02of time.
55:02more call,
55:03but we have to
55:03keep it very
55:04short and of
55:04course we'll
55:05allow you to
55:06close up.
55:06Final caller for
55:07the evening.
55:08Caller,
55:08good evening.
55:09Good evening.
55:10Good evening
55:10to you,
55:11sir.
55:11And Mr Ali.
55:12Good evening
55:13to you,
55:13sir.
55:14One of the
55:14most intelligent
55:15officers we have
55:16in the police
55:17to this.
55:18Congrats.
55:19Sir, my problem
55:20is Pratan Morgan.
55:21Now listen,
55:22TNP,
55:23Pratan Morgan,
55:23because we are
55:24a Commonwealth
55:25country,
55:25we don't need
55:27Pratan Morgan.
55:28Something has
55:29to be done.
55:29600 million
55:30in England,
55:31do have a
55:3110 years
55:33in England.
55:34They,
55:34a lot of
55:35people in the
55:36Caribbean,
55:37they're
55:37different
55:37people living here.
55:38We don't need
55:40Pratan Morgan.
55:41Get rid of
55:42Pratan Morgan
55:42and let
55:43Trinidad
55:43be able to be
55:44a place to live
55:45and start hanging
55:46people.
55:46Have a blessed
55:47one too.
55:47All right.
55:48Thank you for
55:49your contribution,
55:50Mr Ali.
55:50I mean,
55:51the highest court
55:51of the land
55:52for us in Trinidad
55:53and to be
55:53is the Privy
55:54Council,
55:54correct?
55:54Is the Privy
55:55Council,
55:55highest court
55:55of appeal.
55:56Appeal.
55:56Yes.
55:57So,
55:57with regards
55:58to that,
55:59where are we,
55:59if that remains
56:01there?
56:01Well,
56:02we can have
56:03the Privy
56:03Council,
56:03but in terms
56:04of looking at
56:04a review of
56:06the Constitution
56:06to determine
56:07whether in fact
56:07we want to
56:08stipulate in
56:09our Constitution
56:10particular timelines
56:11so that we are
56:12not leaving it
56:12at the discretion
56:13or open
56:14to a higher court
56:15to be able to say,
56:16okay,
56:16this is what I will
56:17apply in these
56:18circumstances.
56:18But it's still
56:19the right of the
56:19person to use
56:21all tools possible.
56:22But you could be
56:23using the right,
56:24but constitutionally
56:25as well.
56:26We can look at
56:26the Constitution
56:27and say whether
56:27we ourselves
56:28place timelines
56:29into the equation.
56:30Correct.
56:31Before which is
56:32you five years.
56:32That's correct.
56:33So you don't
56:33leave a court
56:34to have to
56:36balance rights
56:36and give you
56:37a timeline.
56:38So constitutionally
56:39we could
56:40self-determine
56:41how we want
56:41to move forward
56:42as a country
56:42in my respect
56:42for you.
56:43But I know
56:43time is of the
56:44essence.
56:44Kola,
56:45thank you for
56:45your kind
56:45comments.
56:46Very inspiring.
56:47Whitney,
56:48it's very remiss
56:48of me if I
56:49don't take this
56:50opportunity to
56:50wish Trinidad
56:51and Tobago.
56:52And I'm not
56:53saying the
56:53Muslim community
56:54this afternoon
56:54because I
56:55always believe
56:56that we share
56:56each other's
56:57culture,
56:57religion and
56:58everything else
56:58that exists.
57:00So to the
57:01citizens of
57:02Trinidad and
57:02Tobago,
57:03Eid Mubarak
57:04and I hope
57:04that for the
57:05Muslims in
57:06particular you
57:06would have
57:07had a period
57:08of fulfillment,
57:10fasting,
57:11prayer and
57:11all that is
57:12done in the
57:12holy month of
57:13Ramadan.
57:14And I hope
57:14that you have
57:14a religious,
57:16holy day with
57:17your family and
57:17friends in
57:19Trinidad and
57:19Tobago.
57:19And for those
57:20who continue to
57:20observe length,
57:22continue to be
57:23persistent,
57:24continue to
57:24dedicate yourself
57:25and generally
57:26speaking in
57:27Trinidad and
57:27Tobago,
57:28let us lift
57:30our hands and
57:30recognize that we
57:32need to play
57:33our role for
57:34Trinidad and
57:35Tobago.
57:35Mr. Ali,
57:36as usual,
57:36we'd like to
57:36thank you for
57:37being here with
57:37us each and
57:38every Wednesday
57:38to give us your
57:39knowledge and
57:40experience that
57:41you have and
57:41of course persons
57:42I'm hoping that
57:42you're able to
57:43learn something
57:44every single day
57:45from this show.
57:45It's not just
57:46highlighting the
57:47criminal elements
57:48but how we
57:48could be better
57:49citizens moving
57:50forward and
57:51law abiding at
57:52that.
57:52We get ready for
57:53your news coming
57:54up next TNT at
57:55seven o'clock.
57:55We'll be back
57:56tomorrow.
57:56We will see ASP
57:57Russell back on
57:58the show.
57:59Remember,
57:59it's a short
57:59week so make
58:00sure you have
58:01a safe and
58:01a productive
58:02one and be
58:02a hard target.
58:04Alright,
58:05that's what we
58:05ask.
58:06Until tomorrow,
58:07we're out.