Concerned Muslims group criticizes Trinidad and Tobago’s terrorist designations

The Concerned Muslims of Trinidad and Tobago has criticized the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration’s decision to officially designate three Middle Eastern paramilitary and political organizations as terrorist entities, a move that has triggered an immediate freeze on any assets linked to the groups within the country.

Public Relations Officer for the group, Imtiaz Mohammed, told the Trinidad Guardian that the decision raises “serious concerns” regarding both timing and perceived bias, warning that it could contribute to increased stigma against Muslim communities locally and internationally.

Mohammed questioned why the applications are being pursued at this time, noting that the country is currently grappling with pressing domestic issues, including rising crime levels and the effectiveness of the ongoing State of Emergency (SoE).

He also suggested that Trinidad and Tobago’s actions reflect alignment with the foreign policy positions of the United States and Israel, linking the legal measures to broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the High Court has ordered the freezing of all local assets associated with Hezbollah, Hamas and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), under provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The orders, published in the Trinidad and Tobago Gazette on April 13, were issued by High Court judges between April 8 and 9 and mandate ongoing six-month reviews by Attorney General John Jeremie.

According to the Gazette, Justice Carol Gobin issued freezing orders on April 8 in relation to Hezbollah and the IRGC, while Justice Jacqueline Wilson issued a separate order on April 9 declaring Hamas a listed entity.

The court directives require that all property owned or controlled locally by the organizations — whether wholly, jointly, directly or indirectly — be immediately frozen. The measures also extend to assets held through intermediaries or proxy arrangements.

Publication in the Extraordinary Gazette formally activates the orders, making them enforceable across financial institutions, property registries and other regulatory bodies in Trinidad and Tobago.

The move places Trinidad and Tobago within a broader global framework aimed at combating terrorist financing, particularly measures outlined by the United Nations Security Council under Resolution 1373 and compliance mechanisms monitored by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).