Over six weeks ago, my letter 'Threat to Democracy' highlighted the fact that peaceful protesters were being arrested in this country, in particular, over issues that involved fishing and highway construction.My point was that this amounted to a threat to our democracy, and also that this position seemed to be a new development. This stance is about the letter of the law and not the spirit.
To my consternation, a statement reportedly made by the acting CoP, in effect says, peaceful protests outside trade unionism are not permissible without permission from the police. The trade union movement, not unexpectedly has flatly refused to entertain that position from the acting CoP. It means that citizens have been effectively stripped of the right to peaceful protest, which we all thought was enshrined in our Constitution.
In the absence of this, exactly written into our Constitution or any other document, we have become victims of the letter of the law.This recent stance by the acting CoP impinges on four out of the main 13 principles of democracy:
1) Citizens' participation, which includes the right to protest, among others such as the right to be informed, to vote and becoming members of NGOs.
2) Political tolerance, which says democratic societies are tolerant of the rights of others, and the rights of minorities are protected. If the majority suppresses the rights and views of others, democracy is destroyed. Respect for others and their points of view are required.
3) Control and abuse of power. Citizens' views are necessary for controlling the abuse of power, and corruption.
4) Human rights. Freedom of expression and movement, association and assembly are fundamental to a genuine democracy.
I strongly object to this recent trend of picking apart the Constitution to enforce the letter of the law, instead of subscribing to the spirit of a democracy. If this be the case, then the need for constitutional reform is more urgent than we care to admit.
Joel Quintal
San Fernando