Thursday, 14th November 2024

Trinidad and Tobago allows the use of "pepper spray" as many women murdered

The National Security Council (NSC) in Trinidad has allowed pepper spray as a “device for safety,” Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi published last week.

Tuesday, 16th February 2021

Prime Minister of Trinidad and  Tobago Keith Rowley
The National Security Council (NSC) in Trinidad has allowed pepper spray as a “device for safety,” Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi published last week.

Speaking at a conference of the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM), Al-Rawi said he had “drafted the law already.”

“Because of the way of the Prime Minister, after the Minister of National Security did the reasonable thing to bring plan approved by experts as to what should be done….

“It [pepper spray] is a double-edged weapon because, in the wrong hands, it can be used against you, but we justify a fighting chance,” he said.

The announcement came to light just days after Independent Senator.

Paul Richards filed a proposal calling to approve pepper spray.

“If it saves a life, it is worth it. If it gives women a new hope that the

authorities are hearing their cries daily, on a weekly basis; it is worth it.

There are some who say that it can get into the hands of criminals. Well, guess what? Criminals now have guns and knives; they are raping and abusing ladies daily with the exception,” Richards said at the time.

Last week, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar also supported Government is required to take steps to legalize the use of pepper spray and tasers by many women to provide them protect themselves.

Calls for the green light are also required to be given to handling pepper spray increased after the abduction and murder of court clerk Andrea Bharat, who was placed to rest on Friday.

Recently, Andrea Bharat - a 23 year old girl was murdered by two men by hammering her head with a heavy object. Few months back a teenager named Ashanti Riley was kidnapped, assaulted and brutally murdered. Her dead body was recovered nearby Calcutta Colony. People have been demanding the use of pepper spray and the government's annoucement might reduce the cases of genocide against women.