Heated debate as National Assembly adopts Commission’s Report into Walter Rodney’s death

SOURCE: CMC– The Guyana government used its two seat majority in the Parliament on Tuesday to adopt and implement recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (COI)  into the 1980 death of historian Dr. Walter Rodney following a heated debate.

Government legislators accused the opposition of making unsubstantiated allegations and casting aspersions on the COI, while the opposition lawmakers described the government’s move as opportunistic, and not one which honours the life of the historian, who died after a bomb exploded in a vehicle in which he had been sitting.

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira, who piloted the motion, urged the opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to adopt the COI, so that the country can heal.

“I am asking the Opposition… all of us have to deal with our histories… However, we must have the magnanimity [as] a people to recognise this was wrong,” she said, adding “the assassination of a leader like Walter Rodney or anybody because of their political beliefs, was wrong”.

She said that the government’s focus is on building a “one Guyana, a ‘one Guyana’ for all of us as a people where we will work towards equitable distribution of goods and services; where we will work [for] the development of the regions of our country.

“That is our goal and if you don’t agree with it, I’m sorry. You’re lost,” she added.

But opposition member, Ganesh Mahipaul said it appears that every time the ruling People’s progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is at the crossroads, it resurrects Dr. Rodney, making reference to a motion in 2005, the Commission of Inquiry in 2014, and the new motion in 2021.

Mahipaul said the People’s National Congress (PNC), which had been in office when Rodney was killed, it has always been supportive of an international investigation into his death, questioning why the PPP/C never supported such a move but was more compelled to establish their own COI.

“The People’s National Congress was always and will always support a full, and impartial investigation surrounding the death of Dr. Walter Rodney.

“But this Commission of Inquiry that was had in 2014 and lasted until 2016 and cost the taxpayers somewhere around GUY$550 million (One Guyana dollar=US$0.008 cents) M, was far from impartial and I believe strongly that the PPP/C’s only intent with this COI to seek out cheap political mileage in their effort to name, blame and shame the PNC,” Mahipaul told Parliament.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, condemned the opposition over what he said were its attempt to tarnish the reputations of the jurists from the Caribbean who served on the COI.

“Come off the politics. We have already passed that stage. Whoever is implicated in Rodney’s killing has already been found guilty and condemned… Let’s move forward and support the recommendations,” Nandlall said, adding that the opposition conduct had, “desecrated the life, legacy of Rodney when we promised that we will cherish it and honour it.”

He said during the COI, attorneys including then attorney general, Basil Williams and the current Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, had “participated from the beginning to the end.

“They cross-examined every single witness that they wished to cross examine and tonight, you come here and you desecrate the commission of enquiry,” Nandlall added.

PNC Vice-Chair, Annette Ferguson in her presentation said the COI report into Rodney’s death lacked credibility.

“Mr. Speaker let me categorically state, that the PNC had nothing to do with Walter Rodney’s death. The late great Forbes Burnham who they demonize and crucified had nothing to do with Walter Rodney’s death and I know for a fact, just like my colleague said, the Rodney family may not get justice here on earth, but there is a God,” Ferguson said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, in supporting the motion reminded that Rodney rose to international stardom and had an impact in many countries. He said when Rodney returned to Guyana, it is his view that the PNC was afraid of him and his political influence at the time.

“Since he proved that wherever he went he disrupted the oppression he witnessed. His appointment as a professor at the University of Guyana was rescinded on the orders of the People’s National Congress,” Todd said.

The COI classified the historian’s death by bombing as an assassination that had the involvement of the late President Forbes Burnham-led PNC Administration at the time..

Among its recommendations were for improved training and professionalism in the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force, timely inquests into a death by unnatural means, and an electoral system that follows the Constitution of Guyana.