Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said the Government agreed to repeal the controversial Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act 2011 because of concerns expressed by the population. Ramlogan made a four-minute statement at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's, yesterday evening after a special Cabinet meeting. He said it was Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar who decided yesterday morning that the law should be repealed, and Cabinet agreed.
He repeated his statement from earlier yesterday in San Fernando that the Government had decided "to err on the side of caution and to repeal this section in its entirety. ?"We do so," he said, "to avoid any doubt whatsoever as to the true intention and purpose of the legislation, which was always intended at fixing the logjam that exists in the magistracy." He said the People's Partnership Government remained committed to the prosecution of all crimes.
Ramlogan said the Leader of Government Business, Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal had told Opposition Whip Marlene McDonald of the Government's decision to reconvene Parliament early yesterday morning. Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley later called for Parliament to be recalled to discuss the matter.