MND condemns the behaviour of the government, the Commissioner of Police and the hypocrisy of some trade unions

The MND is absolutely appalled at the behaviour of the government, the Commissioner of Police and the hypocrisy of some Trade Unionist in the treatment of social activist Inshan Ishmael.

The MND notes the government's intervention acting through the Telecommunications Authority in cancelling two programmes hosted by Mr. Ishmael on his IBN television station because of his outspokenness against what he sees as the ills of our society and the complicity of the government in the furtherance of these ills.

It is irrelevant to the MND what Mr. Ishmael's political motives may be or what political party he may support. What is important is that Mr. Ishmael, like any and every other citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, has the democratic and constitutional right to voice his opinion and to protest against any democratically elected government in Trinidad and Tobago.

The MND further notes the decision of the San Juan Regional Corporation to revoke permission previously granted to Mr. Ishmael to host a protest rally at the Aranguez Savannah.

This is yet another example of the erosion of our democracy and the clamp down against dissenting voices to this government.

But most significantly, the MND notes with horror, the government's action through the Commissioner of Police, in the detention of Mr. Ishmael under the anti-terrorism laws of Trinidad and Tobago for his outspokenness. This is the most significant action taken by this government to date and is a giant step towards the curtailing of freedom of expression and the right to protest. This government has a history of highhanded action going back to the days of Occah Seepaul and continuing. It is terribly unfortunate that the CoP is being used as a comedic Gestapo type leader reminiscent of Herr Otto Flick in the series "Allo Allo" to carry out the demands of this government.

Further, the MND condemns the hypocrisy of the Trade Unionists who have come out in condemnation of national shut downs as a means of protest. These Trade Unionists routinely call for this kind of demonstration against government policy when it serves their own interests and are not in the habit of issuing special invitations to anyone. The position adopted demonstrates that they do not give a hoot about the national interests but are instead caught up in their own sectional interest and consumed by their own egos.

This is a very serious move by this government to shut up dissenting voices, it is meant to put fear in the hearts of the ordinary citizen to refrain from challenging the government. It is the same tactic used by criminals in their attempt to shut up witnesses to criminal activity.

The nation must not tolerate this clamp down of our democracy. The United States invaded Iraq to establish democracy. They have spent trillions of dollars to remove dictators all around the globe. But here it is, on the door step of the United States and in full view of the Ambassador, the government of Trinidad and Tobago has virtually become a dictatorship and he remains silent.

The protestors in Otaheite were recently treated to a lesser dose of arrogance and dictatorship when government officials and the PNM bandwagon rolled through their community. Senior Cabinet members looked upon protestors with contempt and scorn as they passed in their chauffeur driven luxury vehicles whilst the Prime Minister failed to face the public but instead proceeded to his convention and announced his plans for us the people even as the majority of us do not support these plans.

The MND calls upon all the people of Trinidad and Tobago to stand up against this kind of dictatorship today, as failing to do so will ultimately lead to regret and gnashing of teeth tomorrow when reality hits.

Garvin Nicholas

Political Leader

Movement for National Development

www.mndtt.com