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Rodney Commission of Inquiry (COI)…Teixeira says GHRA’s position unfathomable
Government’s Chief Whip and Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira has responded to the reservations expressed by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) with respect to the Commission of Inquiry being conducted into the assassination of
Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira
Dr. Walter Rodney.
The “GHRA received an invitation to contribute to the inquiry into the death of Dr. Rodney, but after studying the Terms of Reference (ToR), it wrote to the Administrator of the COI “indicating its unwillingness to associate itself with the work of the Commission.” Several reasons were cited, primary among them was the view held by GHRA that, “the proposed Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the death of Dr. Walter Rodney has greater potential for reviving rather than healing ethnic division in Guyana. Should this indeed be the outcome, it would be a travesty of Dr. Rodney’s major contribution to Guyana.”
The GHRA also felt that “failure to consult the WPA, Dr. Rodney’s party, on what may be perceived as opportunistic terms of reference for the COI, robs the initiative of credibility.”
GHRA believed that the hearings will provide an “opportunity for inserting the ruling PPP into events in which it was marginal at the time and for generating a stream of horror stories from that era into the work of the Commission, with rich potential for stirring up Indo-Guyanese resentment against the PNC.”
Coming at a time of much speculation over General and Regional Elections, the proposed COI could be read as the worst form of electioneering, GHRA felt.
Speaking on GHRA’s refusal’s to participate in the COI, Teixeira said during a recent Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President that it is bewildering. “They have taken up human rights issues and obviously they are leaders …I would find it unfathomable that the GHRA would not wish to bring whatever documents, evidence or opinions they have to the COI.”
The Presidential Advisor said that organizations like the GHRA are expected to have a fair and transparent hand in relation to human rights and therefore uphold human rights whether under the Guyana Constitution or international law. “So I can’t get into deductions in relation to that but I would challenge any organization or individual in Guyana that does not wish to finally put this matter to rest” said Teixeira.
She stated that she cannot comprehend the nexus of elections or racial division. “I don’t understand the link of election nor do I understand the link of racial division. I cannot deduct mentally of intellectually a link between the COI and issues of election and racial division.”
According to Teixeira, the reason why the WPA was not consulted is because Dr. Rodney’s family only wanted the involvement of the Government. “Dr. Walter Rodney’s family, made it very clear what their specific requirements were and the non involvement of any other partners other than their agreement with Government. They made it very clear about what their position was.”
Dr. Walter Rodney
According to the Government Chief Whip, Rodney’s COI will be conducted in a similar manner to the one held in Linden where anyone can submit that they want to give evidence or they want to appear before the Commission. “If any organization does not wish to appear they have the right to do that, however the Commission can also invite people to come before them as far as I understand and so a number of organizations have indicated recently on a number of public advertisements that they wish to come before the COI” she said.
The Presidential Advisor articulated that Dr. Walter Rodney was one of Guyana’s most outstanding leaders. “He was assassinated, some people don’t like the word assassinated, they would like to use the word killed or died, these are issues the COI will address but to make a statement like that why wouldn’t we want as Guyanese be able to investigate the murder of Dr. Walter Rodney and come out with a report that finally make as judgment on it.”
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