(Kaieteur News) – Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul is calling on the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the capsizing of the MV Barima to publicly guarantee that survivors will not be left to shoulder the financial costs associated with giving evidence.
Mahipaul’s call comes as the Commission prepares to formally begin its proceedings. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Opposition MP said survivors of the tragedy have already endured an “unimaginable experience” and should not have to worry about whether they can afford transportation, accommodation or meals in order to testify.
“I therefore call on the Commission to make it clear, publicly and without ambiguity, that no survivor should be financially burdened because they have chosen to come forward and testify,” Mahipaul said.
Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul
He argued that survivors travelling from outside Georgetown should have their airfare or other reasonable transportation costs, accommodation and meals covered for the period they are required to attend the Commission. For survivors living in and around Georgetown, he said, transportation to and from the Commission and meals should also be provided where their attendance is required for testimony. Mahipaul said these provisions would remove practical barriers to participation and demonstrate that the Commission genuinely wants to hear from survivors.
“These are not unreasonable demands. They are basic measures that can remove practical barriers and demonstrate to survivors that the Commission genuinely wants to hear from them,” he said. The MP noted that while arrangements have been announced for public consultations and support sessions with affected families in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six, as well as Region One, he has not seen or heard sufficient public information from the Commission specifically assuring survivors about the expenses associated with giving testimony. “That needs to change,” he declared.
Mahipaul said survivors’ evidence could prove to be among the most important testimony before the Commission and warned that financial difficulties should never prevent someone from coming forward. “Their voices must not be lost because someone cannot afford a plane ticket, transportation, a hotel room or meals while fulfilling their civic responsibility to testify,” he said.
The Commission’s secretariat, headed by Secretary Javed Shadick, has announced that proceedings will commence this week. According to the announced schedule, affected families from Regions Three, Four, Five and Six are expected to participate in consultations at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre following the formal opening. The Commission team is then scheduled to travel to Region One, with engagements planned at the Kumaka Waterfront on October 12 and the Port Kaituma Waterfront on October 13.
Mahipaul said the Commission should communicate directly with survivors to ensure that every person willing to testify understands what assistance will be available. “If we genuinely want the truth about what happened aboard the MV Barima, then we must create an environment in which survivors feel welcomed, respected, supported and protected, not burdened,” he said. He ended with a pointed appeal: “The survivors have already paid a price. They should not have to pay to be heard.”
Source: Kaieteur News
