Dear Editor,
For decades there have been complaints about the inordinate delay in dispensing justice, especially in criminal cases. The recently published report from the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the deaths of 17 inmates at the Georgetown Prison is alarming, and the authorities should take swift action to alleviate the unfortunate situation in our country which is now in its 51st year as an independent nation.
The CoI blamed the judiciary and other agencies with statutory responsibilities for the overcrowding at the prison and the long delay in disposing of criminal cases. Lawyers were also blamed for not trying to expedite the hearing of their clients’ cases. The Ministry of Health came in for criticism for their failure to take steps to release prisoners who are mentally ill, are HIV positive or are addicted to drug substances.
The method of granting bail was also criticized and the unwillingness to apply for alternative sentences to imprisonment. There is also complaint that judges, especially one, are dishing out very lengthy sentences which are tantamount to life imprisonment.
What is even more disturbing is that the judiciary has not taken steps to address the burning issue of the backlog of remand cases. It is alarming to note that 60% of the inmates are on remand, 149 of them charged with murder. Fifty per cent of these have been awaiting trial for more than three years and a further 30% for more than four years.
This is ridiculous and grossly unfair to the accused persons. This state of affairs should not have happened in a democratic country, and the authorities should make every effort to resolve this alarming and unbelievable situation. What are the human rights activists, the religious organizations, social and service clubs doing? Why they do not come out and advocate for a change. The CoI stressed that there is serious dysfunction in the administration of justice.
It seems to me that it will not only take a long time to remedy, but it also needs funds and maybe international agencies can be tapped to provide financial and technical assistance. Quick action is needed.
There is also a complaint that it takes much too long to dispose of civil cases and reports state that the court calendar is overstretched. There is no doubt that there is need for more judges and magistrates and, of course, more accommodation. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Yours faithfully,
Oscar Ramjeet
