View Point

Thackoor Boodram. Remember the name? I do. Not because he is—was—important to me but because journalism is—was—important to me.  New Year’s Day, 1 January, 1998. Guess what gift one of the daily papers in Trinidad and Tobago offered on its front page? Why, a man’s head.  It had been found …

The tragic circumstances surrounding Andrea Bharatt’s abduction and murder have shone a light on our society’s sensibilities toward a number of issues. And whilst our attitudes toward the value of women, the pursuit of justice, crime and punishment and scepticism of authority are by no means monolithic, the discourse surrounding …

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith, in his trademark rhetoric, responded to concerns expressed by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Senator David Nakhid about the deaths of Andrew ‘Solo’ Morris and Joel Belcon while in police custody with personal attacks today, via a Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) release. Griffith …

“[…] For what it’s worth, [pepper spray] seems to be a best choice self-defence arsenal, particularly in the climate of impunity that prevails and where perpetrators rarely face justice.  “[…] Is the approval really T&T solution to this unbearable violence? At a minimum, it is a short-term necessary life-saving guard …

The Trinidad and Tobago police service (TTPS) today issued a statement that they would be investigating the deaths of two suspects, Andrew Morris and Joel Belcon, while in police custody. The two men were held in connection with the kidnapping and death of 23-year-old Andrea Bharatt, whose body was found …

‘[…] 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 …

“[…] It is inappropriate for people to be making accusations and who by their accusations, have already found police officers guilty without getting the facts. These would include the Law Association, an Opposition Senator, and a person who received one percent of the votes in an area he contested in …

“[…] When Sally Sooman emerged as the [Andrea Bharatt] family spokesperson, I felt a familiar sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I pushed it aside because I sincerely hoped that Ms Sooman would not allow her personal politics to arise. Unfortunately, I was wrong. “It was on Facebook …

“[…] These reports put into question the accuracy of the explanation given by the police for Mr Morris’ death in police custody, that he fell off a chair, and give rise to the obvious need for the institution of a prompt, thorough and independent criminal investigation into the possible homicide …

Remember the OUR OBSCENE TRAGEDY editorial to which the Guardian devoted its front page on Sunday 7 February?  The following day, the Express devoted both its front and back pages to continuing outrage and public protests over the most recent killing of a 23-year-old The UWI graduate. And contrary to …

“[…] It has already been proven around the world that body cams work two ways: to protect the citizenry from false arrests, charges or death; and to protect the officers from false accusations.  “Time and time again, when questioned about the absence of body cameras, the CoP—in his usual rambling, …

Today on what should have been Carnival Sunday, I find myself in a place where darkness and light have fiercely contested for attention throughout the preceding week. The contest between darkness and light has been triggered, on the dark side, by the murder of Andrea Bharatt; and, on the light …