Disciplined Forces Commission to begin work Tuesday
Ethnic composition review, inquiry into Police Force on agenda

Guyana Chronicle
June 29, 2003

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(GINA) - THE appointment of a Chairman of the Disciplined Forces Commission has been agreed upon between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Leader of the Opposition Robert Corbin and the Commission would start its work on Tuesday, July 1, 2003.

President Jagdeo made this disclosure during a special television interview Friday.

The President said he wrote a letter to Mr. Corbin on Monday stating that his nominee to the post is Court of Appeal Judge Ian Chang.

On Thursday, the President received Corbin’s reply in the affirmative.

“This will allow the Commission to be composed and to start its work,” the President said.

Chang and the other members of the Disciplinary Service Commission will take the Oath of Office on Monday in the presence of Acting President Samuel Hinds at 09:30 hrs, in the Credentials Room, Office of the President.

In the Communiqué, President Jagdeo and the Leader of the Opposition, agreed on the Terms of Reference for a Disciplined Forces Commission, which, inter alia, would review the ethnic composition of the Disciplined Forces and give priority to an Inquiry into the operations of the Guyana Police Force, which will be completed within three months of its commencement.

The Disciplined Forces Commission will be constituted in accordance with the agreed amendment to Article 197A of the Constitution and taking account of the requirements of the existing Article 197A(5) of the Constitution, the agreement stated.

President Jagdeo and Corbin also agreed that the Commission shall comprise five persons, including the Chairman who will be appointed by the President after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.

The Leaders agreed that the Commission will begin its work within one month of their meeting and that the Bill amending the Constitution to provide the powers and authority for the Commission to conduct the inquiry was tabled in the National Assembly, along with the Motion on the Terms of Reference of the Commission.

The Commission is also tasked with a review of the ethnic composition of the Disciplined Forces, including the Guyana Defence Force

The Disciplined Forces Commission’s Secretariat will be housed at the Supreme Court’s Library.

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