| By Latoya Giles Region Ten chairman Sharma Solomon says that he does not take any personal responsibility for what transpired on July 18, 2012, at Linden, when three Lindeners were shot dead and dozens were injured during a protest against proposed increases in electricity tariffs.Solomon at a press briefing yesterday, in discussing the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the incident, explained that protestors were doing nothing out of the ordinary, since they had started months before.According to the Regional Chairman, they had held over 15 demonstrations and were preparing to conduct a five-day march. He said that in the months leading up to July 18, 2012, they were demanding that the government “engage with us”.In terms of compensation recommended by the Commission, Solomon said that some of the victims have called it “unjust and disrespectful” and would not support going for the compensation, which does not justify the actions of the police.According to Solomon, this was the view of some 17 victims who were there on Monday at the Linden office. He also noted that the families, along with the region, would be pursuing legal advice on the victims’ compensation.Solomon further stated that the region welcomed the Commission of Inquiry Report into the shooting deaths with a sense of victory,Nazair Jones Youth Jersey, but yet some disappointment. He said that a synopsis of the Terms of Reference for this Inquiry indicate that they were required to: 1) inquire into the circumstances surrounding the shooting deaths; the unit deployed; instructions given; the conduct of the police; cause of death of the three persons, and determine if the police were responsible for the shooting; 2) the role, if any, played by the Minister of Home Affairs; 3) the nature of violence and destruction and the perpetuators; 4) make recommendations to improve policing; and 5) recommendations for compensation for injury, loss or damage.Solomon said that while they welcome the general outcome of the COI, the region is convinced that the criteria used by the COI to assess compensation for death is clearly flawed. He said that the people of Region 10 would like to know what were the criteria used.“Did the COI assess what was required to maintain a family or did they assess what it costs to send two children to university – their father having been killed by the Guyana Police Force… or did they assess the future earning capacity of those they slaughtered?” Solomon asked.Solomon further emphasised that life is priceless and opined that the sums recommended by the Commissioner to the deceased families and injured are woefully inadequate. He said no vehicle, which is subject to depreciation, is worth more than the lives of those who suffered at the hands of the police.“Let us recall that the young man who was tortured was awarded far more compensation” Solomon noted.He further stressed that they found the Commission’s comments on MPs Vanessa Kissoon and Desmond Trotman appalling. Solomon said that Caribbean people have always had to struggle for rights. He reflected that slaves in the Caribbean used to revolt in pursuance of the right to freedom and self-respect. He said that from colonial days to today, Guyanese have had to struggle for their rights. Solomon said that he had expected that the Commissioners would have taken into consideration the political and historical context of the struggles of the peoples of the Caribbean.He said that they should recognise that when the law is being used to deprive people of their rights that are provided by the constitution, as the police and government were doing, then the people have a constitutional right to protest. Solomon maintained that he believes that MPs Kissoon and Trotman, along with the people of Linden, were promoting and protecting their constitutional rights.He also made it clear that all the people of Linden desire is peace and it must be built on equal rights and justice as guaranteed under the laws.“This is the peace we seek and the peace we will settle for. The power rests with the people and will be applied until equal rights and justice, are restored for every citizen in Region Ten.” |
