In a significant parliamentary development, Independent Senator Michael Simon de la Bastide has called upon the Trinidad and Tobago government to employ persuasive dialogue rather than derogatory language to secure support for the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) Bill, 2026. The proposed legislation, which passed the House of Representatives on January 16, is currently under detailed scrutiny in the Senate, where deliberations began on January 20 and are set to continue.
The bill grants Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in her capacity as National Security Council chair, the authority—following consultations with police and military leadership—to designate specific high-crime regions as Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) for periods up to 180 days. The bill requires a three-fifths majority in the Senate, translating to 19 votes. With the government holding 15 seats, the opposition 6, and independent senators 9, the support of the latter group is crucial.
Senator de la Bastide, along with fellow Independent Senator Anthony Vieira, expressed a conditional willingness to back the bill but voiced strong objections to the hostile rhetoric directed at non-aligned senators. De la Bastide emphasized that independent senators are open to constructive pre-debate discussions, potential amendments, and compromises. He criticized the government’s approach of hurling insults and making partisan assumptions, stating that such tactics could deter qualified individuals from accepting future appointments as independent senators.
Both senators acknowledged the necessity of innovative measures to address Trinidad and Tobago’s persistent crime challenges. However, they highlighted concerns about the potential stigmatization of communities labeled as ZOSOs, the risk of normalizing military involvement in civilian policing, and the importance of ensuring that expanded security powers align with constitutional principles and human rights protections.
Vieira underscored that independent senators are constitutionally mandated to ask difficult questions, particularly when legislation involves expanding state authority. He rejected characterizations of their critiques as ‘shallow’ or ‘vapid,’ framing them instead as essential exercises of independent judgment in a healthy democracy.
The ongoing debate reflects deeper tensions regarding governance, legislative process, and the balance between security needs and democratic safeguards in Trinidad and Tobago.