Main Opposition agrees to Truth Commission
Written by, Sunday, 10 February 2013 20:11, Source
The main opposition parliamentary party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has agreed to government’s and Alliance for Change (AFC) urgings for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Leader of the Opposition and APNU, David Granger announced in the National Assembly on Thursday that he will support the establishment of
 KHEMAJ RAMJATTAN |
 DAVID GRANGER |
 Minister Anil Nandlall |
such a commission. He also expressed a willingness to examine issues going as far back as the events unfolding from the 1953 elections.
“If this is what the House wants, let us have a Truth and Reconciliation dealing with the whole 60 years. I have nothing to hide, nothing to lose and we have much to gain,” he said.
He acknowledged that voices had been raised to have a commission to examine events going back further than the period which was identified when he had tabled his motion.
Two amendments were proposed by government for a motion tabled by Granger. Granger in his original motion had asked that a Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigate unlawful killings from 2004 to present, but government wanted the probe to go back as far as the 1960s.
The Opposition Leader has since deferred his own motion and invited the House to form a tri-partite Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine the past 60 years or whatever period is desired.
The AFC had expressed support for the government’s proposed amendment to Granger’s motion for the establishment of a commission to probe the countless unlawful killings that occurred here over the years. The party also wants to expand the period to be investigated.
Meanwhile, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said that government had proposed that a truth commission be established rather than a commission of inquiry into the criminal violence, since it believes these two commissions represent two radically different processes. “Therefore, a truth commission would be more suitable in such circumstances,” he said.