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Magistrates threaten action over lack of security
Magistrate Nigel Hawke
Magistrates have threatened to take action if concerns about their security remain unaddressed.
This comes in the wake of an armed robbery at the home of Magistrate Nigel Hawke at Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, early yesterday morning.
The Magistrates’ Association of Guyana yesterday held an emergency meeting and has issued a strong statement threatening action if the Chancellor of the Judiciary does not make the necessary representation on their behalf by 09:30 hours today. Following is the entire statement issued by the Magistrates’ Association of Guyana.
“The Magistrates’ Association of Guyana condemns in the strongest terms the savage attack on the home of Magistrate Nigel Hawke and his family.
There is grave concern among all Magistrates at this time, especially in light of repeated attempts for the authorities to address the burning issue of security for Magistrates vis-à-vis other judicial officers.
A detailed security memorandum was prepared by the Association since October 11, 2006 and sent to the Honorable Chancellor of the Judiciary and a copy was later forwarded to the Commissioner of Police.
We are aware that this document was forwarded to the Office of the President. To date no action has been taken with regards to any of the recommendations therein.
Magistrates, at first instance, deal with 90 per cent of the criminal proceedings, and as a consequence, we are a constant target of criminal aggression.
Magistrates and in some instances members of their families have been threatened, abused and attacked in and out of the courtroom by criminal litigants and their associates.
This must not be allowed to continue. In the instant matter, Magistrates have requested an urgent meeting with the Honorable Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and the Commissioner of Police Henry Greene.
We hope they would recognize the urgency of the meeting with the Magistrates to avert any hiccups in the administration of justice. Magistrates in all jurisdictions are resolved to take this matter to another level should our concerns remain unaddressed. We empathize with our brother Mr. Nigel Hawke and his family in this moment of sadness.”
Yesterday, only new matters were called in Courts one and five, which are presided over by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson and Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton.
All other part-heard matters and those being heard by Magistrate Hawke were postponed to further dates.
Up to press time the Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and Commissioner of Police Henry Greene were locked in discussions with the Magistrates’ Association on the issues of their security.
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