Trini banned during pandemic:wins court decision

Trini banned during pandemic: Court ruling more than a legal victory

Lorick and Joanne Pantin sued the State over its exemption policy. Lorick was stranded abroad for months in 2020. The Appeal Court found that the then PNM government’s failure to disclose the criteria used to determine who could return home was unconstitutional. In an interview following the ruling, Lorick said the judgment carries deep personal meaning. “It means closure, in some ways, but the weight of that experience will remain with me for life. It isn’t a time I like to reflect on, but these experiences become part of you. I’m glad that telling this story wasn’t in vain. Personally, it gives me peace of mind knowing that the legal struggle led to real accountability.”

Looking back, Lorick believes she may never have made it home had she not taken legal action. “Had I not commenced legal proceedings in 2020, I would likely have never been given priority on those initial repatriation flights, which at times felt like a lottery. I could have remained outside the borders even longer." The ruling cannot erase those wounds, but it does bring satisfaction in knowing it sets a precedent for future situations and hopefully compels officials to act appropriately next time.”

“No matter how compelling the emergency, the Executive must always be held accountable for infringements of the rights and freedoms of our citizens. As a people, we must demand nothing less,” the unanimous ruling of Justices of Appeal Nolan Bereaux, Mark Mohammed and Ronnie Boodoosingh noted. Former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, SC, led a team of attorneys for both women. He described the ruling as a watershed moment in TT’s legal history.“It provides solid reinforcement for the constitution and augurs well for the independence of the judiciary. It is a major development in our constitutional jurisprudence as it relates to the right to liberty and freedom of movement…This judgment clears the way for other citizens who were similarly circumstanced to sue for the breach of their constitutional rights.”

Travel agent weighs up legal options after Appeal Court ruling

TRAVEL agent Philip Ramdial, who was locked outside of Trinidad and Tobago (while leading a tour) during the covid pandemic says he is weighing his legal options in light of the landmark September 29 Appeal Court ruling.Justices of Appeal Nolan Bereaux, Mark Mohammed and Ronnie Boodoosingh ruled that the lockdown policy was draconian and breached the rights of two female litigants – Raehana Lorick and Joanne Pantin – who were among many people the former PNM government refused entry to TT in seeking to prevent the spread of covid.The court said the women suffered financial and emotional strain, with the state of one woman "dire and exceptional."The ruling reversed a 2022 decision by Justice Betsy Ann Lambert-Peterson.Former minister of national security Stuart Young has since said the rationale behind this decision was to protect the lives of citizens in TT during the height of the pandemic.When contacted for a response, former health minister Terrence Deyalsingh told Newsday, "I am seeking legal advice before commenting." Ramdial was full of praise for Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley for allowing the group into her country under the circumstances of a pandemic.

Newsday spoke to a student who was also not allowed back home during the lockdown, and she said she felt abandoned by the then government. She too welcomed the Court of Appeal's ruling.The student, who asked not to be identified, said the attitude of the local authorities when she made contact in an effort to get back home was one of indifference. "Imagine calling your home country to get back home, to be with your loved ones, to be in familiar surroundings, and a representative of the government tells you, 'who tell yuh to go away? We never tell yuh to go there.' I mean, it was very stressful," she said.She said, "It is a matter of standing up for yourself and seeking redress. These women have set a precedent, and I am so very proud of them."

Critics angry over Rowley daughter’s repatriation

As stranded citizens around the world hold out hope that they would be repatriated for the holidays, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley is being criticized for including his daughter among those given preference to return home for Christmas.On December 5 when Rowley told journalists that he was holding out hope that his daughter, Dr. Sonel Rowley-Stewart would be among those nationals who would be allowed to return home during the holiday period. Criticism on social media said the Ministry of National Security had granted her an exemption to return home in time for Christmas because of her father, while thousands of other people waiting since March are begging to return home.During yesterday’s COVID-19 media conference at the Diplomatic Centre, Port-of-Spain, Rowley said he expected the negative reaction surrounding Rowley-Stewart’s repatriation.The Prime Minister also denied that Rowley-Stewart got any favors, nor did she jump the queue. He confessed that she desperately wanted to return to T&T to be with her family during the year but had to stay in New York.

He professed his love for T&T but said he was disgusted by the behavior of some citizens.“I live with that every night, every day as I manage Trinidad & Tobago’s affairs. It is not a talk, it is a feeling and I am insulted at this stage for some nameless, faceless social media creature to be causing you to be talking to me about my daughter getting to the head of the line.As a father, Rowley said he watched the COVID-19 statistics in New York, where Rowley-Stewart took the train, Uber rides, and mixed with people in the hospital where she works.Also addressing the issue, National Security Minister Stuart Young said he had no conversation with the Prime Minister concerning his daughter’s exemption.Young said Rowley-Stewart applied for an exemption on November 11 and joined the queue like other applicants.“Persons who were looking to come home for Christmas got their exemptions way before her and the rest is history. But there was absolutely no conversation with me by the Prime Minister requesting anything at any point in time,” Young said.Rowley-Stewart is a child psychologist while her husband, Stephan, works with international investment bankers Goldman Sachs.

PM upset at criticism over daughter’s repatriation

Farm workers on Canada were also scheduled to return on a flight on December 28. The Government of Canada have been working with Trinidad and Tobago citizens working on farms by granting legal extension of stay.

Second exemption for AG's children under query

Questions are being raised about an exemption granted for the daughter of Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi to re-enter the country after travelling to Madrid, the United Kingdom and Barbados during the last six weeks. AG Al-Rawi is denying any special favours were granted to his daughter, but a timeline of events as unravelled by well-placed sources and documents shared with Guardian Media revealed otherwise. Al-Rawi is stoutly denying any suggestions that his 19-year-old daughter, Jinan Alexa Al-Rawi was granted a 'special' exemption to return home after studying abroad. He also denounced claims by national security sources that his daughter did not go into state quarantine after leaving the Piarco International Airport last weekend.

Al-Rawi's daughter touched down on a private jet in Trinidad on June 5 from Barbados. After wrapping up her semester at a university in Spain, she made her way to London and then to Barbados before finally getting home.The exemption comes at a time when thousands of Trinidad and Tobago nationals have applied to return home and they are still in a long queue, some struggling to live and forced to find alternative means of survival aboard.Documents exclusively obtained by Guardian Media showed that the Ministry of National Security in a letter dated June 4, 2021, granted Jinan Alexa Al-Rawi permission to enter the country on June 5.
The letter was personally signed by National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds.

But the AG refused to provide any written proof or documents to indicate that his daughter had been state quarantined despite being pressed by Guardian Media.Asked if it was safe to say that his daughter received no special treatment or favouritism in the granting of the exemption letter, bearing in mind that scores of T&T citizens are still stuck outside of the country since the border closure last March, Al-Rawi did not provide a written response for this question.Regarding reports that immigration did not have Jinan's exemption letter on file, the AG said he could not account for immigration and what goes on there.This incident comes seven months after the AG's son Abraham Al-Rawi was granted an exemption and re-entered the country.Last December, Al-Rawi was forced to fight off claims in a T&T Guardian article that he used his position to help his son jump the long exemption line, after documents of Abraham's return to this country surfaced.Al-Rawi had confirmed that his son, a student, came into the country last November but when asked if he was granted any special favours, Al-Rawi said he considered the matter to be repulsive and urged people to stop.

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*Three months ago, Rowley also expressed disappointment with Al-Rawi for not wearing a face mask during a live stream event, Vibes with Voicey, stating people in leadership positions must act responsibly.

Al-Rawi later apologised for his action, admitting that he should have acted better.

*In 2016, photographs of Al-Rawi's children holding high-powered weapons at the shooting range in Camp Cumuto were brought into the national spotlight by MP for Oropouche East Dr Roodal Moonilal in the House of Representatives.

Al-Rawi subsequently said his family had been invited by the army for a "threat assessment" after he received death threats after assuming office in September 2015.

Rowley, however, slammed the T&T Defence Force (TTDF) for the situation saying the leaked photos was a breach of security.

In November 2019, Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith said the investigation into how Al-Rawi's children were allowed to use the gun was almost at a close. However, days later Griffith said the probe had hit a bump in the road due to a lack of cooperation from the TTDF.

We got the same treatment from the govt when my father in law who was in the UK on holiday got stranded. Lucky for us and him, he had a place to stay and grandkids to see more.

Wait till I tell him it have money in dis.

By the way, the usual trini suspects aka jackasses were if the same opinion as the govt- don’t know nutting.

But back to the class action lawsuit…soon to be law suite!

@Halliwell

Some woman said Yes and married you? So her father didn't shoot you!!!
Now you want de man money...huh?...