Authorities May Be Considering State of Emergency Extension Amid Legal Challenges

Our newsroom is seeking confirmation from the authorities if they are contemplating extending the State of Emergency which expires on September 23.  Information indicate that while the tribunal began with its hearings on Monday, Attorney Orson Elrington, who represents three of those detained under the SoE, says he too has been hearing reports of an extension.

Orson Elrington, Attorney: “The possibility always exists. As long as there’s provision for it in law, the possibility always exists. And especially if the government feels as though it has, it has been effective to achieve their objectives, then there is always a possibility of it being extended. And the constitution does allow for the parliament to be able to extend the state of emergencies for two month periods at a time. All right, so they can go back to parliament and a majority, a super majority can pass and of course the government right now, as it stands, has the necessary numbers to be able to pass and those super majorities which is necessary for it to be extended for a further two months.”

Reporter: Is an extension actually being considered? 

Orson Elrington, Attorney: “Well that is absolutely my understanding as well, that it is being seriously considered. That is my understanding that it is being seriously considered. Hence the reason that it is imperatively important under the circumstances to ensure that the mechanisms, that the safeguards provided by the constitution are being adhered to. Because then you will have innocent persons who are absolutely not supposed to fall under the provision being unfairly incarcerated.”

This current SoE became effective June 24.