Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 25, 2015 Editorial, Features / Columnists
With the Rodney Commission of Inquiry due to restart, we reprint this editorial
Much has already been written about the Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of renowned historian Walter Rodney, and the fact that the entire probe is degenerating into a forgettable charade. This view is supported by the presence of several anomalies which bear highlighting; they include: the fact that several high profile witnesses who gave evidence-in-chief are yet to be recalled for examination by the attorneys representing the several interests in the matter.
What requires an explanation is the reason why a ‘caring’ government should seek to expend taxpayers’ dollars on bringing a potential witness to these shores only to take a statement and allow him to depart without appearing on the stand to deliver his version of the events under review. What is really the role of the Commissioners if not to ensure that every aspect of what is essentially an inquest is above board and can withstand scrutiny? Or is this whole set up someone’s idea of an elaborate game to bolster flagging electoral chances?
Juxtaposing the Rodney COI with the NBS anyone with half a brain might be forced to arrive at the conclusion that the system of justice in this country is being prostituted by vested interests. But the real cause for concern should be the reality that the system is being corrupted by those with the technical knowledge and authority to do so without question.
The unbelievable words coming from police headquarters that files are moved from person to person belies the expectation that the movement of criminal files is supposed to be accounted for by an established chain of custody. But no one should be surprised at the arrant nonsense that spews from the mouths of some of these officials.
To seek to lay the blame for the disappearance of key documents from the police files on an investigator who is now deceased is reprehensible and demonstrates that there are no depths to which some people are prepared to sink in furtherance of their own advancement.
The Linden Inquiry which was commissioned as a result of widespread condemnation over police excesses in Linden during the July 18, 2012 public disorder event where three men lost their lives and several persons were injured, was the precursor which tested the waters for the current Rodney COI.
The decision emanating from that circus and the ridiculous awards can be likened to a state getting away with murder, and that life is cheap in this country.
But as mentioned before in a previous column, members of the disciplined services should not expect that their unprofessional conduct will be explained away by claiming that they were following orders. Indeed any member of a uniformed service who carries out an order which is unlawful must be prepared to face the full brunt of the law. Such an eventuality may at this time seem distant from the perspective of wishful thinking by those bent on preserving the status quo, but as surely as there is a tomorrow everyone will be answerable for his/her misdeeds.
For far too long people have come to accept the trampling on human rights by the authorities in this country with sporadic outbursts of condemnation which quickly die down because of limited attention span, or the fact that the immediate past atrocity has been overtaken by another equally gruesome or more so.
One wonders if the commissioner of police will continue to meet with protesters after every police excess, and what can the Guyanese people expect as the next steps. If he is genuine in his actions and they are not intended as image enhancing moments then we should give him our unconditional support. At the same time it would do the police force an immense good if its members can be told what behaviours they are expected to display in support of police reforms.
An extensive and comprehensive programme must inform ranks that if they ignore international human rights conventions claims that they were following orders will be unacceptable.
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