UN General Assembly
1998

sex. The right to life, liberty, security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof, except by due process of law, are guaranteed by the Constitution. Also guaranteed are the right not to be subjected to cruel and unusual treatment or punishment, the right to a fair trial, freedom of expression and freedom of the press. An independent judiciary is ever vigilant to ensure that these rights are not abrogated or infringed. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is fully cognizant of its duty to protect the security and well- being of its citizens, including the innocent, the victims of violence and the vulnerable. Their rights have also been guaranteed by the Constitution. We do not subscribe to the current trend that subordinates the rights of these citizens to those of the perpetrators of violent crimes against them. We are of the view that our innocent citizens also deserve the Government’s protection of their basic rights to life and security of the person. We cannot speak of development without focusing