00:00The People's National Movement says it supported the declaration of the state of emergency
00:05as an extraordinary measure to tackle gang violence and escalating crime.
00:10But the party now believes the emergency powers have extended well beyond that original objective.
00:16As of today, we under this government in Trinidad and Tobago,
00:22we have existed under a state of emergency where certain constitutional rights
00:28are being stymied for 297 days out of 405 days in office.
00:37And with the current extension of the state of emergency now,
00:42the figure will increase to 397 days out of 505 days in office.
00:51It's practically nearly 80% of the time this government has been spent
00:57in having Trinidad and Tobago placed under a state of emergency.
01:03Scotland argue that the prolonged use of emergency powers has increasingly affected the rights of citizens
01:10and question whether the country can continue operating under what was intended to be a temporary measure.
01:16What we have found happening now is a focus on individual dissenters,
01:23persons who are expressing views that are contrary to the government
01:27and the use of the state of emergency regulation powers
01:32to silence citizens from expressing dissent against the government.
01:40He says there are many outstanding matters to be addressed by government.
01:43We have not been provided in terms of accountability in terms of the cost of this ruling state of emergency
01:54in Trinidad and Tobago.
01:55We went to Parliament for the midterm review and we found out that $500 million was placed for overtime of
02:06police officers.
02:17Scotland also addressed questions about whether the PNM intends to challenge emergency measures in the courts.
02:23While noting that the former opposition frequently pursued legal action during the COVID-19 state of emergency,
02:30he said the PNM is taking a measured approach before deciding on its next steps.
02:35We are carefully considering challenge, but we want to do it in a way that is responsible
02:43as it relates to balancing the rights of the citizens, exactly what the Law Association said,
02:50and balancing our fundamental rights because we are responsible opposition
02:55and we know that legal matters are costly and we must be responsible
03:00and send the right signal to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
03:03But the challenge, because the team is looking at it, has not been ruled out.
03:07Arvashi Tomori, Rupnarain, TV6 News.
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