Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, at a press conference on Thursday, announced the potential establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the killings that occurred in Guyana during the tumultuous 2000s.
Jagdeo’s comments were sparked by statements from Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton and the Alliance for Change (AFC) on the recent International Day of Democracy.
Both entities highlighted concerns regarding extrajudicial killings, claiming that around 1,500 victims were recorded during that period.
Jagdeo, who was President during the period, vehemently refuted this assertion, stating, “It’s a lie. In fact, the actual number of fatalities was around 400, and even that number included police officers and innocent civilians, not just criminals.”
Jagdeo criticized the opposition for manipulating statistics, arguing that their narrative has shifted dramatically over the years.
“They’ve elevated the number from 400 to 1,500, and at one point claimed it was 40,000. If you pick a number to tell a lie, you have to at least stick with it,” he said, emphasizing the importance of accurate reporting.
He further elaborated on the political context of the 2000s, alleging that the PNC and AFC supported criminal elements during that time.
“These parties were politically backing a group of bandits who escaped from prison, referring to them as ‘freedom fighters’ while they terrorized communities,” Jagdeo reminded.
In addressing why a commission was not launched during the previous administration of David Granger, Jagdeo noted that Granger had promised to investigate but failed to follow through.
“He knew that a commission would reveal the culpability of some of his supporters. He conducted numerous inquiries into other matters, but this one was sidelined,” he said.
Jagdeo indicated that the terms of reference for the proposed inquiry are currently being drafted, with President Irfaan Ali expected to make an announcement soon.
“We will get to the bottom of this. The public deserves to know the truth,” Jagdeo declared.
He also condemned the opposition’s attempts to revive racial tensions, stating, “They are trying to bring back the narrative of 1,500 young Black men being killed, which has been disproven time and again. It’s a shameful tactic to perpetuate division.”
As discussions surrounding the Commission of Inquiry progress, the government is committed to addressing the historical grievances associated with this dark chapter in Guyana’s history, aiming for transparency and accountability.
