Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 22, 2020 — Political leader of the opposition St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has accused Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris of introducing a six-month State of Emergency in the country to have an unfair advantage in the upcoming general elections constitutionally due by August 14.
During his weekly radio call-in programme on Kyss 102.5 FM on Tuesday night, Dr. Douglas reiterated support for the medical authorities in the fight against the COVID-19 virus, but said it is unfair for the government to use unchallengeable emergency powers to keep opposition candidates locked down while coalition candidates campaigned freely.
“We are standing on all four squares with regard to ensuring that we are well behind the management of this pandemic so that there is no life lost, that the illness associated with this disease is minimal and the virus not spreading at all. We are for these things, but we have to be careful about the conditions under which these are to be obtained and pursued, especially when the basic freedom and fundamental rights of the people are unnecessarily being withdrawn by a hostile, incompetent and uncertain government.”
Dr. Douglas stressed that the SKNLP is not opposed to the medical authorities seeking to ensure that there is not a community spread of COVID-19. “We insist that the management of this health situation does not require six months of a state of emergency,” he said, adding that the constitution allows for shorter periods for a state of emergency.
“When dealing with a Prime Minister who politicizes everything to find some sort of advantage, it stands to reason that we should expect him to be just as political in dealing with this public health crisis as well,” said Dr. Douglas. He pointed out that government ministers and coalition candidates were able to move freely during curfews and conduct election campaigns, providing a political advantage. “None of these gymnastics will prevent his Team Unity government from falling. It is just a matter of time.”