TNAG-0652-FCO40-801-Planning-Staff-papers-on-human-rights-and-foreign-policy-cou-1977 — Page 213

CONFIDENTIAL

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Report by British High Commission, Port of Spain

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The police may be sometimes hasty in arresting suspects, and the courts are often slow in trying cases; moreover "States of Emer- gency" have been declared from time to time giving the police exceptional powers; but there is no evidence of an intentional policy of imprisonment without trial.

The police are known to be rough at times in their handling of suspects, but there is no evi- dence of a calculated policy of torture.

Slavery is non-existent.

There is very little restriction of freedom of speech or the press. The television and one of the two radio stations are Government- controlled and tend to reflect Government policy in their pro- grammes, acceptance of political speakers and staffing, but there is no hard-line censorship or ideo- logical bias. The second radio station is virtually unrestricted, within the usual norms.

The Judiciary is ostensibly, and accordingly to the Constitution, entirely independent. Inevitably, however, in a country of this size, discreet pressures can be brought to bear, and some judges and judgements might be said to have a political "colouration".

The freedom of association is up- held, but inevitably pro-Government unions enjoy advantages that anti- Government ones do not. Industrial

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CONFIDENTIAL