T&T: Justice for the select few?

YESTERDAY’s much touted meeting between Cedros fisherfolk (who have been under siege from pirates) and a high-powered team comprising Government Ministers and National Security officials, descended into chaos when a group of  about 40 fishermen were locked out of the Coast Guard base in Cedros, while a handful of persons met behind closed doors with the Ministers. National Security Minister Martin Joseph, Foreign Affairs Minister Knowlson Gift and MP for Pt Fortin Larry Achong (who also represents the Cedros community) made up the ministerial team, while Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Brigadier Ancil Antoine led the National Security officials which also included Coast Guard Commander Captain Garnett Best, on yesterday’s tour.

The tour came on the heels of two unrelated incidents which occurred within the past two weeks in which two fishermen were killed by pirates while fishing. One of the victims drowned after being forced to jump into the sea by the pirates, while the other was shot in the chest at point blank range. Angry fishermen told Newsday they had previously been advised that they would meet with the team of Government officials at the Community Centre, but at the last minute only a handful of persons were able to meet with the Ministers inside the Coast Guard base. The fishermen also claimed that the persons who met with the Ministers did not represent the broader community of Cedros and environs, and they were hand-picked by the Ministerial team prior to yesterday’s visit.

In sum, the government doesn't give a damn about what's happening with the fisherfolk of Cedros. The security team seems to be just willing to gallery to create the appearance that something is being done, but Cedros fishermen can expect only BS, MS, PhD.