The belated COI

Apr 03, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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Kaieteur News – The period panning 2002 to 2006 was an era marred by a harrowing spate of homicides, massacres, and robberies in Guyana. It is a period which many Guyanese would choose to forget because of the terrible scar its etched deep into the nation’s collective memory.

But the period was also a period of political contestation over the violence. The then government saw the hand of a political insurgency using criminals as a front line force. The Opposition accused the government of condoning and being complicit in extra judicial killings using death squads.

The Jagdeo government of 1999-2011, stubbornly refused to launch a Commission of Inquiry into the violence of that period. Under pressure from the United States, the PPPC government was however forced to establish a COI into whether the then Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj, was involved with any death squads of that period.

The inquiry, by a majority decision, exonerated Gajraj. But it was a limited inquiry and left lingering questions about who was behind the orchestration of violence post-2001 elections. The failure to hold an inquiry made the truth a casualty and denied justice to those affected.

Now, Vice President Jagdeo, almost 18 years on from the end of that bloody era has announced the launch of a Commission of Inquiry. But we shall have to wait and see whether this decision will be implemented by the time the present PPPC term ends in 2025.

Commissions of Inquiry are costly exercises. And no sums have been budged this year for such an exercise. The government however can still go for supplementary funding for the COI.

The timing of this COI is notable. It comes on the heels of scrutiny from international bodies like the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC). Their recent concluding observations highlighted concerns over the lack of substantive progress in investigating allegations of extrajudicial killings during that turbulent period. But it is hardly likely that an intransigent PPPC could be moved by the UNHCR’s appeal for such an investigation.

One cannot overlook the political undertones intertwined with this decision of the PPPC to promise such an inquiry. The current volte-face by the PPPC government comes against the backdrop of whispers of political advantage, especially one year before elections are due. A finding that the PNCR had a finger in the violence would be extremely advantageous to the PPPC.

But if this was the case why did the PPPC not succumb to earlier pressures to have such an inquiry. One reason is that the PPC has only been interested in COIs that are advantageous to it and there was always the fear that a COI would reveal the palpable state of internal security under Jagdeo regime which left the people helpless against the criminal gang operating mainly out of Buxton.

The PPPC should not be selective when it comes to responding to international demands. While seemingly now eager to probe the violence of the 2002 to 2006 period, the PPPC is resistant to having an independent investigation into allegations of corruption against the PPPC.

The mantra of “no report, no investigation” echoes resoundingly. It stinks of double standards.

A report to the police should not serve as the sole determinant for initiating investigations into allegations against political figures, as doing so risks perpetuating impunity and eroding faith in the fairness of the investigative process. Political figures, especially those in positions of authority, may wield significant influence over law enforcement. It also fails to account for scenarios where individuals may fear reprisal or lack trust in the impartiality of the police. The gravity of allegations against political figures demands a higher standard of scrutiny and accountability beyond a mere police report.

If and when a COI is launched into the violence of the 2002-to 2006 period, the challenges will be daunting. The passage of time would have blurred memories, scattered witnesses, and perhaps buried crucial evidence. Summoning witnesses after such a prolonged period will present logistical and practical hurdles. Many may have migrated, passed away, or simply struggle to recall events with clarity.

Yet, amidst these challenges lies an opportunity – an opportunity for the Opposition to substantiate their claims of state-directed extrajudicial killings. But the PPPC will also be keen to use this COI to perpetuate the narrative that the violence as part of a political insurrection in which the PNCR was involved.

Such a COI is long overdue. But given its extreme lateness, it is doubtful whether it can bring closure to a period in Guyana’s history that witnessed a bloody orgy of killings, including the slaughter of children.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

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• extra judicial killings, Guyanese, homicides, massacres, political

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