Dear Editor,

Public Defender Arlene Harrison Henry was under no legal obligation to give her ‘open arms embrace’ of the zones of special operations (ZOSO) legislation. This was a ‘political’ and personal decision on the part of the public defender.

The public defender is not obliged to give so-called “human rights” training to military and police personnel. This was done in support of the expected roll-out of the ZOSO plans.

The security forces are now using this endorsement by the public defender to lull the public to sleep in terms of the fact that ZOSO is a clear violation of people’s basic constitutional right to security of person and property. There is no declared war and no threat to the security of the State which would mandate this draconian, anti-poor people law.

In supporting ZOSO plans Public Defender Arlene Harrison Henry has gone beyond the bounds of the purpose for the creation of the Office of the Public Defender. It was designed for the purpose of “protecting and enforcing the rights of citizens”.

Public Defender Arlene Harrison Henry has now seen it fit to shed the implicit requirement of her office to maintain its independence of the State and is now into the business of endorsing controversial government crime-fighting strategies.

This is in unacceptable and I believe it is a gross violation of the ethics governing her office.

As such, she must resign now.

Lloyd D’Aguilar

Convenor

Justice Now

justicenowja@gmail.com