AN IRISH-born woman sworn-in yesterday as a member of the recently appointed Disciplined Forces Commission says she hopes to share an international human rights perspective in upcoming investigations of the Police Force, Army and Prison and Fire Services.
Ms. Maggie Bierne, a member of the Commission for the Administration of Justice in Northern Ireland, was sworn-in before President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of President in Georgetown.
“One of experiences that I do hope I will bring is a knowledge (of) good policing and the protection of human rights. There are lessons to be gained from the international experience,” she told reporters afterwards.
Bierne joins Guyanese Senior Counsel, Mr. Charles Ramson, Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Anil Nandlall and Brigadier (retired) David Granger as members of the Commission, chaired by Senior Counsel, Mr. Ian Chang.
They were sworn-in last month, but the body could not have functioned as a Commission until Bierne’s arrival, delayed by traveling and accommodation hiccups.
The Commonwealth Secretariat and international non-governmental organizations have covered the costs for such arrangements, allowing Bierne to take up the position for which she was nominated by the opposition People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R).
The Government had said funding was the responsibility of the nominating party and PNC/R leader, Mr. Robert Corbin, yesterday said the “important thing” is that she is here despite difficulties and the Commission would be able to function.
All members would nevertheless be remunerated by the Government.
Corbin said he selected Bierne after perusing recommendations from the Guyana Human Rights Association, which opted not to have local nominee because it wants to give evidence when the Commission starts hearings.
He said she is “eminently qualified” and brings international experience, including on policing issues in Northern Ireland.
Bierne said she intends to learn lot as she starts work in the coming weeks and would appreciate very much people giving her their views on the operations of the disciplined forces.
She noted that while every country is different and has its particular circumstances, there are important good practice lessons to be learnt from abroad and she hopes to bring some of that to bear.
Bierne sees herself as impartial member of the independent Commission and says she wants to work for the “best possible policing” to be had in Guyana within the tight three-month timeframe mandated for the investigations.
The Commission was appointed in keeping with a measure in a Joint Communiqué signed in May by President Jagdeo and Corbin.
It has been ordered to give priority to its inquiry into the Police Force and make recommendations within three months. It will also review the ethnic composition of the disciplined forces to achieve greater balance, among several other duties
The body was to commence hearing from July 1 at the Law Library, Supreme Court, Georgetown, but this has been set back as it makes procedural preparations.