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‘[…] Those baying for blood are the very ones who do not recognise that abrogating the rights of suspects would also restrict their own rights. And that anyone can be arrested, or even be accused falsely—Andrew Morris and Joel Belcon are just the latest on a list numbering in the hundreds.
‘Sadly, it is only when they are being ‘beaten to a pulp’ then they will realise the importance of rights. And of having a lawyer defend them …’
The TTPS did not announce his death until 3 February.
The following Letter to the Editor was submitted to Wired868 by legal adviser Mohan Ramcharan from Birmingham, England:
The latest tragedy hitting the nation—the horrific murder of Andrea Bharatt—has once again brought to the fore the usual and predictable response: a baying for blood as seen by calls to ‘pop necks’, ‘bring back the hangman’ and so forth. Sadly, in all of this hue and cry, there has been a conspicuous absence of critical thinking and respect for human rights.
The commissioner of police proffered an asinine ‘explanation’ that a suspect ‘fell off a chair’ three times and died as a result. Video evidence and the autopsy results have made a liar (and I do not apologise for using that word—he needs to hear it and feel shame) of the CoP, who seems to be spending his time policing social media and intimidating citizens who critique his ‘explanations’.
Respecting human rights has never been at the fore of TTPS’ agenda. Many are the examples that can be had at the fingertips from a simple Google search. The courts are so fed up, they (in the form of judges) have recommended that police officers be held personally liable for the damage they inflict. A ‘feel-good’ recommendation, but wrong in law and practicality.
Those baying for blood are the very ones who do not recognise that abrogating the rights of suspects would also restrict their own rights. And that anyone can be arrested, or even be accused falsely—Andrew Morris and Joel Belcon are just the latest on a list numbering in the hundreds.
Sadly, it is only when they are being ‘beaten to a pulp’ then they will realise the importance of rights. And of having a lawyer defend them.
Because these are the same people who seem to think that the lawyers are also criminals for defending those who are accused of and arrested for crimes, whether correctly or incorrectly, does not matter at this point. Because the constitution and our human rights law says we are entitled to a fair trial, which also means that we have a right to representation from someone who is skilled in the law.
So those baying for blood, conflating the lawyer with the accused—note I did not say criminal eh, because one is presumed innocent until found guilty by a court of law after a fair trial—think a little harder, beyond the end of your nose so to speak …
What will you do when they come for you?
On 3 February 2021, as Trinidad and Tobago was gripped by a search for 23-year-old clerk Andrea Bharatt, blogger Rhoda Read more
“In the way of the world, things happen. As one writer previously wrote, ‘there is no art to find the Read more
“[…] The police, they’re going after the young kids on the streets…the big fish don’t come to do deals directly. Read more
“A lawless, indisciplined and corrupt nation cannot fight crime.” Pastor Clive Dottin, The People’s Roundtable, January 2024. At The People’s Read more
“[…] Patrice gave an excellent and emotional performance. From her outfit to her energy to her typically impeccable vocals, Patrice Read more
“[…] We now have the triumvirate or the three-headed Hydra of Gary Griffith, Jack Warner and Kamla Persad-Bissessar. One was Read more
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