Trinidad government launches review of diplomatic passports
Key Points(5)
- The Trinidad and Tobago Government has launched a sweeping review of diplomatic passports and will move to recover documents from several holders, including former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, according to the Trinidad Guardian .
- Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar confirmed that Rowley will be asked to surrender his diplomatic passport after a review found that hundreds of people were in possession of the travel documents without meeting the required criteria.
- The announcement follows an earlier directive for former prime minister Stuart Young to return his diplomatic passport, making Rowley the latest high-profile figure affected as the Government moves to tighten oversight of the system.
- Persad-Bissessar said the review was triggered after international partners raised concerns about the issuance and possible misuse of diplomatic passports.
- “The Government was requested by our foreign counterparts to look into the issuance and abuse of Trinidad and Tobago-issued diplomatic passports,” she said.
The Trinidad and Tobago Government has launched a sweeping review of diplomatic passports and will move to recover documents from several holders, including former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, according to the Trinidad Guardian.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar confirmed that Rowley will be asked to surrender his diplomatic passport after a review found that hundreds of people were in possession of the travel documents without meeting the required criteria.
The announcement follows an earlier directive for former prime minister Stuart Young to return his diplomatic passport, making Rowley the latest high-profile figure affected as the Government moves to tighten oversight of the system.
Persad-Bissessar said the review was triggered after international partners raised concerns about the issuance and possible misuse of diplomatic passports.
“The Government was requested by our foreign counterparts to look into the issuance and abuse of Trinidad and Tobago-issued diplomatic passports,” she said.
She added that an internal probe found that 985 individuals held diplomatic passports despite most not qualifying for them.
According to the Prime Minister, the exercise is part of a broader administrative correction rather than a targeted political move. She said some holders would instead be issued official passports, others reverted to ordinary passports, while a smaller group would retain diplomatic status if they still qualify.
Rowley, she said, would be contacted by the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs.
“He is retired and he is not representing the country in an official capacity. Therefore, he should not be in possession of a diplomatic passport,” Persad-Bissessar said, adding that he would instead be issued an official passport.
She also clarified that diplomatic passports do not automatically confer immunity, noting that such privileges depend on accreditation by receiving states under the Vienna Convention.
Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John downplayed the controversy, questioning the public attention around the matter and saying travel convenience was the main benefit of the documents.
The move comes amid wider political tension over diplomatic privileges, following the earlier decision to request Stuart Young’s return of his passport. The Opposition People’s National Movement has described the actions as politically motivated, accusing the Government of “revenge and pettiness.”
