In a bid to end environmental activist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh’s hunger strike, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has announced that the State is prepared to consent to any application seeking an order for an expedited hearing of the appeal filed by Kublalsingh and the Highway Re-Route Movement (HRM). Speaking during yesterday’s post-Cabinet news briefing, Ramlogan said he had faith and confidence in the Privy Council’s ability to be a fearless, fair and impartial adjudicator on the legal dispute that was before it. “All of the points raised by the HRM, namely the Armstrong report, all of the technical data that they wish to have the court review and the options that they have put forward and the rationale and reasonableness of those options, those matters will be adjudicated upon by five of the finest legal minds in the world that comprise the judicial committee of Her Majesty Privy Council.”
He hoped Kublalsingh would recognise that was the highest and final appellate court for T&T and would respect and abide by the outcome of the matter. “I do it also, so that our dear brother and fellow citizen, Wayne, can in fact put an end to this hunger strike. “Passionate, though he may be, in the understanding that the Government is not simply meeting him half-way but bending over backwards to try and find an amicable resolution whilst at the same time honouring and respecting the constitution’s due process and the rule of law.”
Ramlogan assured that there was precedent in any urgent matter. “The court has a discretion to exercise on whether it should accelerate or expedite the hearing of any particular appeal,” he added. He, however, admitted that he could not predict the outcome of the matter. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, prior to Kublalsingh’s commencement of his hunger strike, wrote to him (Kublalsingh) expressing her concern for the proposed course of action, bearing in mind, the fact that there was litigation between the State and the HRM. The letter outlined the position of the Government which was that the nation could not be held to ransom.
As Kublalsingh’s hunger strike progressed, concerns intensified. A suggestion was made by former president of the Law Association and former independent senator, Martin Daly, SC, that the State should consider agreeing to have Kublalsingh’s appeal before the Privy Council expedited so that it could be fast tracked. Ramlogan said he communicated this proposal to members of Kublalsingh’s family and awaited for a response from them, given an assurance that they would speak to Kublalsingh and get back to him (Ramlogan).
