THE Eastern Lawyers Association is calling for urgent action following the deaths of two attorneys.
The association in a news release expressed its condolences to family and friends following "the tragic and untimely deaths" of attorney Kumari Baksh, whom it described as a respected member of the legal community, and her husband, Nasheed Baksh.
The January 10 media release said the couple's tragic and violent deaths at their Caratal Road, Cumuto, home on January 9 serve as a grim reminder of the alarming surge in crime in TT, and the murders starkly highlight the disturbing rise in crime within society.
The association also highlighted the murder of special prosecutor Randall Hector, who was assassinated on New Year’s Eve.
"This incident, occurring shortly after the murder of another lawyer, raises significant concerns regarding the safety of legal professionals. Such targeted violence not only threatens individual lives but also erodes the rule of law and the core principles of justice that our society relies upon."
Hector had also worked as a special prosecutor with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He had just delivered a sermon at the Stanmore Avenue Seventh-Day Adventist Church and was walking to the car with his wife and children when a Nissan B-15 car and a black SUV pulled up and two gunmen got out and shot him several times before escaping.
The association described persons in the legal field as advocates for justice and emphasised that attorneys play a crucial role in protecting the rights of all citizens.
It said any attack on members of the legal profession is a direct threat to the justice system and demands immediate and decisive action.
[caption id="attachment_1132200" align="alignnone" width="526"] Kumari Baksh, an attorney, was killed along with her husband at their home on January 9. -[/caption]
In response to these events, the association said it is calling on the authorities to take urgent measures to combat this disturbing trend and urged the police to conduct a “thorough investigation.”
“The police must diligently pursue all leads to identify and hold accountable those responsible for this horrific crime.”
It added, The police must strengthen protections for legal professionals and government and law enforcement agencies must evaluate the risks faced by legal practitioners and implement necessary security measures, especially for those involved in high-stakes or sensitive cases.
The association said it believes that with crime and violence reaching critical levels, those in authority must tackle "the broader crime crisis."
Its statement called for meaningful and sustained efforts to address challenges, which include enhancing law enforcement capabilities, improving crime prevention strategies and tackling the underlying causes of criminal behaviour.
Concluding its statement, the association said the murders underscore the urgency of collective responsibility to ensure the safety of all citizens and the integrity of the justice system.
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