Newspaper notices to invite evidence
The Commission of Enquiry into the incidents which occurred during the 55-day public service strike opened yesterday morning at the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, Brickdam with Commissioner Justice Carl Singh announcing the appointment of attorney-at-law Joy Persaud as the commission's secretary. The secretary, who hails from the Attorney General's Chambers, read out the terms of reference of the enquiry, which is expected to last until July 30, unless extended by the President. The terms, signed on Monday by President Janet Jagan, mandate the Commission of Enquiry to look into the events that took place in Georgetown during the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU)/Federation of Unions of Government Employees (FUGE) strike from May to June 1999. Such events include the police shooting of striking workers outside the John Fernandes wharf on May 18, protest activities outside government ministries and the Georgetown Hospital, activities of June 15, a consideration of reasons why two Transport and Harbours Department vessels were rendered unserviceable upon the commencement of the strike, the forced entry of the GPSU headquarters and various other breaches of the law that were said to have occurred during the strike. Director of Public Prosecutions, Denis Hanomansingh, who is representing the police in the enquiry, was the lone representative of what Justice Singh termed "interested parties" present yesterday. This prompted the judge to later comment that their absence was probably due to the fact that there was a relatively short time between the signing of the instrument by the President and the command to begin sitting yesterday. He disclosed that from today, notices are expected to be published in the daily newspapers, announcing times and dates on which these parties are expected to gather. Such notices will invite interested and affected persons to appear before the commission to give evidence or submit statements. The judge warned that the commission is also empowered to subpoena such persons to appear before it. Questioned as to the likely response if people were to refuse to appear, Justice Singh, without elaborating, stated that "serious sanctions" would follow. Among the people expected to appear before the tribunal are trade union representatives, striking workers, representatives of the Police Force, people who were victims of street violence and businessmen whose businesses were besieged. The Commission of Enquiry is expected to resume today at 0900 hrs. (Kester Morris)
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