Queries on national engagement as stand-your-ground consultations near end

Despite earlier promises that consultations on the proposed stand-your-ground legislation (Self-Defence and Defence of Property) Bill, 2025, will reach every constituency, Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein could not confirm yesterday that sessions were held across the 13 Opposition constituencies.

Pressed on the matter during an interview with Guardian media, Hosein sidestepped the issue, stating that the question should be placed squarely to Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, and insisting that responsibility for engaging constituents does not rest with the Government alone.

“You’ll have to ask Ms Beckles. I know she is often asleep at times, so maybe she needs to wake up and assume her position as Opposition Leader, but the Government is busy at work. They are more concerned about other trivial matters; we are concerned about governance and protecting our citizens,” Hosein said.

At least one Opposition MP stated that no consultation on the proposed legislation had yet taken place in their constituency. Guardian Media attempted to contact Opposition Leader Beckles on the matter but she did not respond to questions up to press time.

The queries about the lack of national reach with the consultations came as Hosein announced that the public consultation phase is drawing to a close and that the legislation is expected to be tabled in Parliament once the new session begins. He said suggestions for amendments remain under active deliberation and promised that feedback would be reflected in the final draft.

“We have received a lot of feedback, the meetings, in fact, have been over-subscribed in some instances with respect to comments. The country has lent tremendous support for this decision by the Government to introduce this legislation. There are suggestions that would have been made, and those are under active deliberations, and we expect this legislation will be laid in parliament soon, and there is a window between the recess and the budget where parliament matters will take the spotlight,” Hosein said.

The legislation is intended to expand the right of individuals to defend themselves when facing threats from intruders on their property. It has sparked national debate, with supporters calling it a necessary tool against violent crime and critics warning of potential misuse of the legislation.

The first public consultation took place in the Barataria/San Juan constituency, followed by consultations in Tunapuna, Toco/Sangre Grande and Siparia, which was hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Also contacted yesterday, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander said the Government intended to go beyond the consultations to ensure the safety of citizens.

“I am also going further because we not just looking at the victims and the businesspeople and main residents. We also want to speak to persons who live in areas where the response of the police is difficult or it takes a long time to show them how to network with each other within the community.”

Alexander said there was significant participation in the consultations, which, he said, reflected support for the proposed legislation expected to model Florida’s legislation.