A PARTNERSHIP for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Winston Felix yesterday charged, in the National Assembly, that the effective functioning of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (COI) is constrained because witnesses can “dream up anything” in their testimony.

However, Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall pointed out that the immunity granted to witnesses who testify before the Commission extends only to acts they may have committed relative to the death of Rodney.
He said the law of perjury is very much applicable and witnesses are in no way allowed to lie to the Commission, as it relates to the circumstances surrounding Rodney’s death.
But despite the clarification, Felix maintained that he stands by his comments.
Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle after the exchange in the House, Nandlall stated that the “strategy of attack” on the Commission’s proceedings has now transcended to Parliament.
Disparaging remarks
He said:“Today you heard Mr. Felix making very disparaging remarks about the Commission, which included a contention that the law of perjury is not applicable to the Commission.
“This is a complete misrepresentation. The law of perjury is applicable to the Commission in full force.
“From the inception, the APNU took a position that they will not support the Walter Rodney Commission and that they will not participate in the COI.
“They are also doing everything they can possibly do to denigrate and attack the integrity of the COI. As the evidence is unfolding, it continues to point an accusatory finger in the direction of the PNC (People’s National Congress),” he added
The admissibility of evidence has been a sore point for the PNC from the start of the tribunal’s hearings and Party Chairman Basil Williams was admonished during one of the sessions last month.
Williams, who sits on the legal team representing the Party’s interest at the COI into the 1980 death of Dr. Rodney, had charged that Guyana’s laws were suspended to facilitate the process and that “anything goes in this Commission.”
Commissioner Seenath Jairam said, though, that he personally took umbrage to that statement as it reflects very badly on the Commissioners.
“I think you have not thought through this statement. We have not suspended the laws. We are bound by the laws. You are making a very serious statement. I don’t think you are being fair to us. Speaking for myself, I have not suspended the laws of Guyana. So I want to make that clear to you,” Jairam informed Williams, following one of his repeated objections.
Jairam pointed out that a body such as a COI is entitled to make its own rules and that one has to appreciate that the Commissioners are dealing with an incident which occurred many years ago and, hence, information will have to be sifted in order to determine relevance.
Written By Vanessa Narine