Trinidad and Tobago: Anti-Gang bill 2021 passed in Senate, UNC abstains

Trinidad and Tobago: The anti-gang law was passed in the Senate last night with 24 votes from all government and independent senators - while the Opposition United National Congress abstained.

The bill was passed with amendments at 21.12.

Last night's passage of a reformed version of the bill finally comes after futile attempts in 2017 and November 2020, when the UNC did not support the bill on both occasions. It then required a special majority - and Opposition votes for passage.

The version of the bill passed last night required only a simple majority vote to pass. Clauses relating to certain constitutional issues - which the UNC has rejected - have been removed.

The bill aims to tackle gangs from their targets outside in the public to operations "inside" and their advisers and supporters in doing so.

The bill must now be discussed in the House of Representatives.

National Security Minister Stuart Young said in an earlier debate on the bill that it deals with gang members who threaten contractors and workers, and that it will also tackle problems where people are evicted in housing developments by offending gangs.

Young also said that the TTPS and the army are currently adapting gangs behind human trafficking and bringing people from Venezuela to T&T for prostitution.

Young mess Opposition claims that the bill was not necessary, as provision is already made in other bills for its violations. "The offenses in this bill are specific offenses against gangs that only exist here," he said.

Young added: 'There is no part of society that has not yet been affected by criminal gang activities. This bill is absolutely essential. ”

Young said his opinion on the 'somewhat watered-down bill' was that it would still give police a chance to chase gangs and gather information.

He reiterated that some of T & T's gangs, "Rastas City", "Muslims", "Sixx", "ABG," plus splinter groups.

Young said T&T gangs are very sophisticated and work with the benefit of knowing what they would do. He said there are people with master's degrees, MBAs and degrees in international relations who are part of gangs that also have legal and financial advisers.

He said gang leaders do not carry illegal firearms, but are carried by the commando chain, "and they move in convoys, more sophisticated than state convoys."

While the TTPS has dismantled some, he said gangs are diversifying and are into real estate, renting property and cars, illegal gambling, money laundering, drug trafficking, human trafficking and prostitution.

Offenses covered by the bill include threatening members of the public with extortion and demanding money with threats. He said it was especially necessary.

"We all know when certain contracts are done, criminals go to the yard and threaten contractors and workers that unless they participate in the contract, hell would erupt," Young said.

He said efforts had been made to target this problem, which is difficult because people are afraid to come forward.

Another offense includes trespassing. Young took note of housing developments in various MPs, including East Port-of-Spain, and his constituency - Charford Court, Harpe Place, St Francois Valley - was plagued by culprits who occupied and evicted people’s property.

Other aspects target rape, aggravated assault and kidnapping for ransom. He took note of the recent unfortunate case in East Trinidad. The bill is also aimed at people who advise or assist gangs / members, help gangsters and force people to join a gang. Child prostitution is also covered and to live on the earnings of a child, sexual care, brothels, nurture gangs / members and prevent people from leaving a gang.

Rights must include misogyny - UNC's John

UNC Senator Jearlean John called for the bill also to prevent misogyny (the aversion to, contempt for women) and regard it as a hate crime. She saw call in England where a woman (Sarah Everard) was recently found dead. She said ways had to be found to add domestic violence and similar issues to the anti-gang legislation. John noted that girls are often victims in gangs and that many teenage pregnancies occur

Just as the Attorney General said authorities used the track 'follow the money' in a kidnapping / murder in January, John recommends 'follow the violence'.

John noted that candlelight vigils are being held around T&T to put an end to violence against women. She said the bill should at least have something to stop misogyny, which she says is a gateway to other bad cultures.

"It has to become a hate crime," she said.