“[…] Most of all, the movement of 1970 gave the population a new sense of ownership of their land. This also meant acceptance of direct responsibility for their nation’s affairs…” The following is the 12th and final column in an NJAC series on their contribution to Trinidad and Tobago society …
Read More »Sex education, gender policy and pepper spray; Womantra’s wish-list to address gender-based violence
“[…] Amend, implement, and budget for the National Gender Policy. A formalised multi-sectoral approach to awareness raising, prevention and accountability must be applied to all aspects of gender-equality, including gender-based violence. “These interventions should include private and state actors, communities, etc…” The following is a press statement from Womantra, which …
Read More »Joint Chambers, JCC and TTTI urge govt to ‘withdraw amendments to section 7(2)’ of Public Procurement bill
“[…] The Joint Chambers, JCC and TTTI do not support the introduction of Clause 5 which seeks to make amendment to section 7 as this would act in contravention to the intent of the entire Act, thereby limiting its purpose…” The following statement on the Public Procurement and Disposal of …
Read More »Dear editor: Has T&T gotten too used to the dehumanisation of bodies—and, in particular, black bodies?
“[…] There is a human instinct to avoid dead things. A line between the living and the not living. We care for our dead because we knew them but generally we don’t play with them. “The historical instances in which humans have engaged in necrophilia are usually traumatic…” The following …
Read More »‘Dangerous to the extreme!’ MSJ points to ‘disturbing’ amendments proposed for Public Procurement Act
“[…] The proposal to amend the act by making the procurement by ‘public bodies or state-controlled enterprises of legal services; financial services; accounting and audit services; medical services; or such other services as the minister may, by order, determine […] subject to negative resolution of Parliament’ exempt from the requirements …
Read More »US sanctions China tech firm that provides Venezuela’s internet, reaffirms Guaidó support
“[…] With this latest action, the United States reaffirms its commitment to promoting accountability for all those complicit in the illegitimate Maduro regime’s efforts to undermine democracy…” The following release from US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, reveals sanctions against Chinese company, CEIEC, which is allegedly responsible for 70 percent …
Read More »Dear Editor: Young not ashamed of treatment of Venezuela children? He has skin like ‘crapaud leather’?
“[…] The children were treated in a cruel, inhumane and unusual way. It is utterly ridiculous for Stuart Young to pull some verbal sleight of hand, arguing that they were ‘escorted’ and not ‘deported’…” The following Letter to the Editor on the deportation of 16 Venezuelan children was submitted to …
Read More »Anna Levi: The right of asylum; the Venezuelan escape—in prose
And when they enter the waters of Delta Amacuro One last look at Tucupita The wind numbs everyone Blowing kisses Venezuela te amo En mi corazon The sign of the cross Ten Hail Marys The fishermen lifted the children on top of their mother’s plastic suitcases Then they stuff their …
Read More »Dr Browne: T&T is a good neighbour, but we cannot simply open borders to Venezuelans
“[…] This hospitality continues even as our economy faces significant challenges that have affected all our people… “[…] Even developed nations with far greater resources face major challenges dealing with crossings of their borders, and no nation accepts non-nationals without due process…” The following statement on the government response to …
Read More »Dear Editor: Our treatment of Venezuela migrants will reveal Trinidad and Tobago’s true character
“[…] We should ask ourselves, ‘what would compel a mother to embark on a treacherous and uncertain seven-mile journey with her young child?’ They are human, not faceless migrants/refugees. This simple fact seemed to have been forgotten and disregarded by the authorities…” The following Letter to the Editor on Trinidad …
Read More »‘Charity begins at home!’ PNM NWL defends treatment of Venezuelans, accuses Opposition of ‘political trafficking’
“[…] Charity begins at home and regardless of our race, religion or political persuasion, we must love this island we call home, more than any hidden corrupt political agenda. “[…] Only persons void of vision and completely driven by a cultic obsession for power will suggest that the government should …
Read More »US ambassador: Maduro responsible for Venezuelan crisis, not sanctions!
“[…] It is [Nicholás] Maduro and his backers, not sanctions, who are to blame for the millions of Venezuelans living in dire economic conditions and who have fled their homes since he assumed power…” The following is a press statement from United States ambassador Joseph N Mondello on the Venezuela …
Read More »