Where Are We Heading?

WHAT will become of the IMPACS report ?

What of our good Commissioner Vernon Francois who was made to give up his post on the basis of the findings of that investigation?

When is our government going to respond to the statement by the European Union which is translated to mean exactly what our DPP said some weeks ago?

Above all, where are we heading with this giant mess that has emerged out of this highly controversial report?

The outgoing DPP was clear in her recent statement when she declared that the IMPACS report, did not follow due process. Although she did not use the term, it was clear that this was what she was saying: that the report did not live up to the rule that a legal case must be done in a way that protects the rights of all the people involved. Yet, our Commissioner who was specifically fingered in the report, has taken the fall on the basis of an investigation without due process. Also the integrity of the police force has been undermined with all sorts of rumours including one that some of its members were involved in a plot to embarrass or overthrow the government. After more than two months those who claimed to have had evidence of this plot and would make it public, have not done so. In fact nothing more has been heard of this claim since.

But listen to the DPP on the IMPACS: “The Report for the most part constitutes a summary or commentary, as well as analyses or assessments, conclusions and recommendations by the Investigation Team. The Investigation Team also made numerous allegations of infringements of some of the gravest and most serious offences under our Criminal Code. Throughout the entire report references were made to investigation files, witness statements, interviews, and documentation seen or reviewed. However none of these documents or material was presented to me”.

Later she adds: “The Report for the most part constitutes hearsay. Save and except one expert report the Report did not contain the evidentiary material in the form required under our laws for prosecution of a case. As indicated before, the actual evidence or evidentiary material was not presented to me.”

She also announced that she had written to the Attorney General and the Minster of Home Affairs, the designated Minister under the Police Complaints Act asking for compliance with the relevant section of the Act and requesting all the evidence referred to by the Investigation Team in the Report.”

The cumulative effect of all this is that we are ending the year on a very worrying note here. The statement by the European Union calling on the government to ensure due process in the handling of the IMPACS investigation report was followed this Thursday by a media advertisement by the EU proclaiming that it regards the abolition of the death penalty as essential for the protection of human rights.

We warned some time ago that St Lucia was in danger of being cited internationally for serious human rights abuses that could impact negatively on our country and its future development. The EU, it appears, is turning on the screws from different directions. Further, the recent Juffali appointment and the political machinations surrounding it at a time when we are pursuing an economic citizenship programme, also have the potential for tainting our country’s image even more in the international community.

Recalling the widespread talk there was about the politicking which gave rise to IMPACS, it is clear that what we have on our hands is a can of potentially deadly worms. The government must now act to put a lid on things, if that is at all still possible.