Compensation committee must be transparent

THE EDITOR, Sir: This is an open letter to Delroy Chuck, the minister of justice. NOW THAT the members of the West Kingston Compensation Committee have been named, we the people expect transparency in how this committee is going to operate.

What are its terms of reference? Will there be open hearings? How will the victims represent their interests before the committee?

These are important questions that need to be addressed immediately in order to avoid the appearance that these individuals are being appointed to carry out a hidden agenda rather than operating independently and in the interest of justice.

No one has been held criminally responsible for the May 2010 massacre, and given the late start for this committee, it is already apparent that the 2017-18 Budget is unlikely to include compensation monies. The point is made about the need for transparency.

The victims should be allowed to collectively and publicly make their case to the committee because there are several complex matters to be resolved, such as the category of abuses suffered that are eligible for compensation, and how those who fall within such categories will be able to make their case, regardless of whether they were officially recorded or not.

We the people are watching very carefully to see whether this matter will be treated with sincerity by you and the committee. LLOYD D’AGUILAR lgdaguilar@yahoo.com