Burnham Govt forced judicial officers to carry out orders against their will

– Justice Ramson tells COI

Former Attorney General Charles Ramson said the Forbes Burnham-led People’s National Congress Administration had encroached on the Judiciary, as Judges and Magistrates were manipulated and forced to carry out orders against their will.

Failure to comply would incur dire consequences, Ramson told the three-member Commission of Inquiry investigating the killing of Working People’s Alliance Co-Leader, Dr Walter Rodney. Among the objectives of the Inquiry is the examination of the social, political and economic atmosphere during the period 1978 and 1980. Before the panel of investigators, Ramson spoke of the citizens themselves being fearful of approaching the courts for recourse on mistreatment by any member of the State, since they dreaded the possible consequences such actions could have on them or family members.

Ramson, who obtained his Bachelor of Law Degree in 1973, told the Commission that upon his return, he had served in the capacity of Parliamentary Counsel for just over a year, before going into private practice. He explained that he was offered a position within the ruling Government to become the first Minister of Energy; however, he declined. He said although, his father was a “right hand” man of President Burnham, and although he admired some of the philosophies of Burnham, he was not interested in becoming a “political animal” but was more concerned about growing as a young attorney.

Interference

Ramson cited several incidents when the Government had forced itself into the judicial system, trying to stymie the smooth flow of law and order. Those included the situation where the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), through the Government, had refused to pay sugar workers their incentives and merit increments owed to them, based on the contractual agreement.

He said he, along with another attorney, fought that case and won. The case was won on the merit that the agreement was contractual, and, therefore, legally binding.

The former Attorney General said Government had gone to the very highest level when in 1978 it moved to have the colonial 1966 constitution change, so as to impose its own sanctions. The PNC Government was seeking to have an extension of its ruler and was changing the referendum to facilitate this. According to him, elections were constitutionally due in 1980. The Government was seeking to have a further extension of two years.

He noted that this decision was not approved by the general public, pointing out that although it was promulgated, no one had turned up at the polling stations to vote. Ramson told the Commission that some senior lawyers had vented their distaste over the move and were severely physically abused by organs of the hierarchy.

He related to the Commission that he himself was severely beaten by Police officers. And this was not just because he did not support the PNC Government, but because, as was told to him, he was targeted by the Government to be made an example of.

He recalled visiting a WPA meeting, along with now Chief Justice Ian Chang. Standing approximately 500 yards away from the gathering in Sheriff Street, Ramson noted that he quickly identified members of the then riot squad, along with persons from the House of Israel group. According to him, while the officers approached him and Justice Chang, he was the only one that was thumped and beaten by the officers. He said he later learnt that his name had come up at a PNC Congress meeting where a decision was taken to make him an example.

He said the interference continued over time, as he reflected on the roles members of the House of Israel and the riot squad played in upsetting the public meetings held by the WPA and to some extent the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

During Ramson’s testimony on Monday, it was admitted by the Commission’s Chairman that evidence of a National Guard Service was brought to the fore. This organisation of approximately 40 security officers was established immediately after the alleged arson attack on the Ministry of National Development and mobilisation in 1979. The body, which included senior officers like former Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis, was tasked with keeping tabs on all Opposition parties, including the PPP. Justice Ramson said it was phased out sometime after the death of Dr. Walter Rodney.