Ms. Blinne Ni Ghralaigh KC is a British/Irish barrister and one of eight lawyers who addressed the International Commission of Jurists in the case Concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v Israel). Ms. Ni Ghralaigh’s address is a searing indictment of Israel’s genocide against Gaza. The live and printed speech are on the ICJ’s website. Here is a small portion of it.
Continue reading “BLINNE NÍ GHRÁLAIGH”THE DEAFENING SILENCE ON GAZA
The first publicized act emanating from Guyana’s joining of the UN Security Council is a condemnation of the Houthi’s attacks on shipping on the Red Sea. If such a condemnation is justified, what about Israel’s genocide in Gaza, about which Guyana has been deafeningly silent, except being a part of Caricom’s weak call for a ceasefire and the President condemning the killing of children, without naming anyone.
Continue reading “THE DEAFENING SILENCE ON GAZA”WHERE IS THE JUSTICE SYSTEM GOING IN 2024?
After a lapse of seven years, hitherto unheard of, a Judicial Service Commission was finally appointed in July. During 2024 Guyana’s magisterial and judicial systems should have their full complement of magistrates, judges at the first instance and at the appellate level. It appears that as regards the two most important posts in our judiciary, the Chancellor and the Chief Justice, the President will, for no good, justifiable or lawful reason, continue to refuse to appoint the current holders of the positions in acting capacities, Justices George-Wiltshire and Cummings-Edwards, even though he has no alternative candidates and the acting incumbents are well entrenched in their positions and, to all appearances, are performing admirably and have the support of the legal profession. The President may nevertheless surprise Guyana and let 2024 be the year when “the time is right,” as he describes the obstacle.
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The Christmas Season this year will give us at least three clear holidays, and four for office workers. This would be time enough for rest and relaxation and to enjoy family gatherings, food and drink, and happy children and grandchildren with new toys. Not everyone, of course, will have these opportunities due to reasons beyond their control, such as the sick, the homeless, the deprived and the grieving. For those in unfavourable circumstances, it is hoped that the Season brings some relief and eases the burdens of life.
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Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves publicly described the agenda for the meeting between the two Presidents as being in the interest of “peaceful coexistence,” respect for international law and avoidance of the use of the threats of force. In somewhat more detail, President Irfaan Ali’s understanding of the agenda for talks was based on the framework established by Communique of Caricom Heads of December 8, 2023. The Heads had declared support for Guyana’s pursuit of a solution to the controversy through the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), urged Venezuela to respect the conservatory measures of the ICJ and reiterated Caricom’s commitment to the Caribbean as a zone of peace and to international law. The Communique called for a “de-escalation of the conflict through an appropriate dialogue between the leaders to ensure peaceful co-existence, the application and respect for international law and the avoidance of the use or threats of force. President Ali in his letter of December 12 to Dr. Ralph Gonsalves proposed to: defend Guyana’s sovereignty over Essequibo; argue for the resolution of the controversy by the ICJ; persuade Venezuela to observe the conservatory measures issued by the ICJ; propose the de-escalation of the conflict by avoiding the use or threat of force; argue for respect for international law. Essentially, therefore, President Ali and Caricom were on the same page as regards the agenda for the meeting and included on that page were Caricom’s support for Guyana both as regards the controversy and Guyana’s reliance on the ICJ.
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