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Walter Rodney CoI…Deadline for submission of statements is March 26
Persons who wish to give evidence in the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) are asked to submit written statements to the Commission containing the nature and substance of the proposed evidence, no later than March 26.
According to an advertisement published in this newspaper yesterday, the Commission is asking for persons to submit the statement with their name, address and telephone number. Persons wishing to tender documents, books and plans should submit copies of those along with their written statements.
Dr Walter Rodney
Lawyer attached to the Commission Ms. Latchmie Rahamat told Kaieteur News yesterday that they have been receiving statements from persons both in Guyana and overseas. She however said that it would be premature at this point to say exactly how many persons have come forward.
Statements should be submitted on or before Wednesday 26 March, 2014 to the Secretariat of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, Supreme Court Library Building, South Street, Georgetown.
The statements can be submitted in person at any time during the opening hours of the Secretariat Monday to Friday 8:30 hrs to 16:00hrs.
Further it was noted that the statements which are to be submitted must be relevant to the Terms of Reference which were crafted by the sponsoring agent, the Government. The terms include “examining the facts and circumstances immediately prior at the time of and subsequent to the death of Dr. Rodney in order to determine as far as possible who or what was responsible for the explosion resulting in the death of Rodney”.
Commissioners would have to enquire into the cause of the explosion in which Dr. Walter Rodney died; whether it was an act of terrorism and if so who were the perpetrators. Commissioners would also have to specifically examine the role if any, which the late Gregory Smith sergeant of the Guyana Defence Force played in the death of Rodney and if so, to inquire into who may have counseled, procured, aided and or abetted him to do so, including facilitating his departure from Guyana after Rodney’s death.
Last Wednesday at a press conference, Chairman for the Commission Sir Richard Cheltenham (QC) said that the hearings are likely to begin sometime after the Easter Holiday weekend.
According to the Chairman, once there is enough material and witnesses available, the sittings will begin the Tuesday after Easter. He said that the Commission would sit for an initial nine days before taking a break for about two weeks and resuming.
Cheltenham had noted that the circumstances surrounding Rodney’s death weren’t fairly investigated and made known to the world, so it’s an unresolved issue for his family. “There has been no clear answer from any investigation to determine this” the Chairman said.
Cheltenham said that they intend to “dig deeply” in relation to the facts and come to a conclusion as to who was responsible and why it was done. He said that to get an answer would be good, especially for the family, which is mainly the purpose for the inquiry.
Since being appointed and during their second visit to Guyana, the Commissioners received their instruments with which to work. He said they have been building support for the Commission which is necessary when dealing with an incident that goes back so far.
He noted that they have had several meetings with various stakeholders in Guyana. He disclosed that they have held discussions with the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Mark Phillips, Commissioner of Police Leroy Brummel, the Private Sector Commission, the Guyana Trades Union Congress, and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman.
Political parties were not left out of the loop; Cheltenham said that they have held meetings with both the People’s Progressive Party Civic along with A Partnership for National Unity.
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