The Opposition PNM is preparing to challenge any further extension of the state of emergency (SoE) in the courts, former minister of national security and Member of Parliament for Arouca/Lopinot Marvin Gonzales has said.Speaking at a PNM public meeting at the Croisée in San Juan on Wednesday evening, he said the Opposition intended to file a constitutional motion if the UNC Government proceeds with plans to seek another extension of the emergency measures.According to Gonzales, the Government has already signalled its intention to return to Parliament to extend the SoE, and the Opposition was prepared to respond through legal action.“Tonight, we wish to serve notice to the Government that we have already assembled our team of attorneys who will be prepared to go to the court and file a constitutional motion to bring an end to this unlawful and unconstitutional state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago,” he told supporters.He argued that emergency powers were being used in a manner that infringed on citizens’ constitutional rights and freedoms and said the Opposition would seek a ruling from the courts on the matter.Gonzales pointed to legal decisions in Jamaica, stating that courts there had ruled against the continued use of states of emergency as a tool to combat crime.Last year in Jamaica, a three-judge panel ruled that the proclamations issued in late 2022 in that country were invalid because they breached constitutional separation of powers.“Enough is enough because this was done in Jamaica and the courts of Jamaica ruled that you cannot have a state of emergency and a rolling state of emergency to control crime and lawlessness in Jamaica,” he said.Gonzales said the PNM would pursue the matter “standing in defence of democracy” and “standing in defence of the people of Trinidad and Tobago”.Throughout his address, Gonzales accused the Government of using the SoE to suppress opposition voices rather than address criminal activity.“Today, in Trinidad and Tobago, the regulations and the state of emergency are not being used to protect you because they were never intended to protect the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.“They were always intended to be utilised and to be weaponised to hold you in suppression so that they can do as they please in every corner in this country.”What basis for SoEGonzales also questioned the basis on which previous emergency declarations had been implemented.He claimed the Government had repeatedly justified the measures by citing threats against senior law enforcement officials, members of Parliament and members of the Judiciary, but alleged no charges had been laid in connection with those threats.“They lied to you, the people of Trinidad and Tobago, by saying that there were threats against senior law enforcement officers and members of Parliament,” Gonzales said. “And today, not one person was arrested for the so-called threat against senior law enforcement officials. Not one person was arrested and charged for any threat against members of the Judiciary or members of the Government.” —AB—Alexander Bruzual