New Delhi
5 August 2006
The Indian diaspora in the Caribbeans is up in arms over the
Government of Trinidad and Tobago's attempts to arrest or forcibly oust the chief justice
on grounds of preventing the course of justice. The protests have spilled over into the
neighbouring United States where the persons of Indian origin (PIOs) took out a rally to
demand the intervention of organisations like the United Nations.
Satnarine Sharma was relieved of his duties on July 28 after a magistrate alleged that
Sharma tried to influence him to rule in favour of former prime minister Basdeo Panday.
Panday, who is of Indian descent too, is facing charges of failing to declare a London
bank account to the Integrity Commission. Panday is a recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya
Samman instituted by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.
New Delhi says it is seized of the developments in Trinidad and Tobago. "There are
some media reports of alleged political discrimination of PIOs in Trinidad and Tobago.
The PIOs are governed by the same constitution as that of the Afro-Trinidadian
community. There is equality before law and PIOs have avenues for legal remedy in
case of alleged political discrimination," it has said.
Well-placed sources said it was apparent that attempts to institute criminal proceedings
against Sharma with the aim of getting him impeached were driven by "racial concerns".
Basdeo Panday's party, the United National Congress, has described it as a "naked grab
for power" by the government. The UNC is predominantly Indian while the ruling
People's National Party is predominantly black.
Recently, the Global Organisation of Persons of Indian Origin (GOPIO) organised a rally
outside the United Nations in New York to protest against "discrimination and
undemocratic" actions of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. According to GOPIO
Chairman Dr Thomas Abraham, the rally comprised people from the Caribbean residing
in the US and Canada as well as from Trinidad and Tobago.
The United Kingdom will not be untouched by the developments in Trinidad and Tobago
as the Privy Council in London is expected to hold special sittings despite vacation time
for deciding Sharma's appeal. Attorneys for Sharma have since moved the Privy Council
in London against the decision of the Court of Appeal to overturn injunctions preventing
his arrest. The Privy Council is the highest court of appeal.
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