Four of the five members nominated to the Disciplined Forces Commission were yesterday sworn in before Prime Minister Sam Hinds with Senior Counsel, Ian Chang appointed as chairman.

Members of the public are now invited to give information and evidence to the commission which opens its offices in the Supreme Court Library today.

The members who were sworn in were Chang, Senior Counsel Charles Ramson; attorney-at-law, Mohabir Anil Nandlall; and editor of the Guyana Review, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger.

Absent from the ceremony which took place in the Credentials Room at the Office of the President was Irish human rights activist, Maggie Bierne who was unable to travel because the government has refused to meet travel and accommodation expenses for her to serve on the commission.

Bierne was recommended by PNCR Leader Robert Corbin who told reporters after the swearing in ceremony that she was a member of the commission for the administration of Justice in Northern Ireland and would have to be sworn in later.

He said that no arrangements had been finalised for her travel but he had written to some international organisations, including the Commonwealth Secretariat, to see if they could provide assistance.

Corbin said his recommendation of Bierne came out of consultations with various members of the international civil rights bodies and she had been highly recommended. She has accepted the position as a commissioner and has indicated this in writing to both President Bharrat Jagdeo and Corbin.

As Bierne would be serving the Guyanese community, Corbin said he felt that the government should shoulder the responsibility for her expenses.

Asked why government would not pay for Bierne’s travel and accommodation, Hinds, who is currently performing the functions as President in the absence of Jagdeo, said since the discussions were between the President and Corbin, the media should await a response from the President.

Asked to comment on his assignment, Chang said that it would be in keeping with the terms of reference signed in the May communique between Jagdeo and Corbin. He said the members already sworn in were ready to begin work but noted that the absence of Bierne might cause some concern when it came to taking a decision which required a quorum.

According to the terms of reference signed on May 16, the commission is to investigate, advise and report on a number of areas including reform of the disciplined services.

The terms of reference state that the commission should inquire into the disciplined forces - the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Prison Service, and the Guyana Fire Service, and all their branches, departments and units, focusing on and making recommendations for their reform, sustained professional development and structure.

The commission is further mandated to give priority to its inquiry into the Guyana Police Force and within three months of the establishment of the commission, examine and make recommendations on the composition, structure, function and operations of the police force.

In this task the commission will have to bear in mind the changing nature of crime and influence of the trafficking in illicit drugs and firearms, back-tracking and money laundering; the relevance of the recommendations of the International Commission of Jurists, particularly with regard to racial imbalance in the force, to today’s reality; terms and conditions of employment, remuneration, training, accommodation, criteria for promotion, discipline, equipment and logistical needs; the rules of engagement, including manuals of procedure of operation; powers of arrest and detention; and concerns about the adequacy and application of the Coroner’s Act.

The commission is to present its report and findings, recommendations and implementation timetable to the National Assembly within six months. It is required to present an interim report to the National Assembly within three months.

The report and interim report will be subject to an affirmative resolution of the National Assembly. In addition, the findings and the recommendations of the commission that are accepted by the National Assembly should be implemented within a specified time-frame and monitored by the Sectoral Committee determined by the National Assembly.

The commission is to commence its work from today and continue with such frequency as the Chairman determines until September 30, subject to extension. Hearings will be conducted in the Conference Room of the Law Library, Supreme Court Compound, South Road and King Streets and continue in places the Chairman may determine.