I think the representatives of civil society were right to accept the invitation from President Bharrat Jagdeo to meet with him on the crime situation following the Bartica massacre.
My concern that they may not have properly grasped the opportunity for a meaningful exchange with the President arises from the anodyne statement coming out after two days of consultations.
That statement certainly does not make me feel safer or optimistic as the only matter of substance agreed is that civil society will have an opportunity to review the government’s security plan. Does this have anything to do with the reports referred to Special Select Committees chaired by the Prime Minister, including the one referred to as the Chang Report?
If the “plan” to which the representatives are privy is a separate plan what is the relevance of the work being done by the Special Select Committees?