EDITORIAL REVIEW REQUIRED — EXPRESS DRAFT. This is an unpublished draft. Some claims may be unconfirmed. Check dates, sources, claims, photographs, and video rights before publishing.
Kaieteur News published a pointed opinion piece questioning what it calls Guyana’s "new national sport"—attending meetings one does not trust, then complaining about that lack of trust. The column specifically addresses the Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the M.V. Barima and meetings held with families of those who died in the incident.
The commentary poses a straightforward challenge to critics: if someone genuinely believes the Commission cannot be trusted, that its proceedings are a charade, or that its members cannot possibly uncover the truth, why participate in meetings involving the commission and grieving families? According to the piece, such meetings are not political rallies or press conferences designed to provide a platform for criticism. Rather, they exist to serve families who lost loved ones and seek answers about what happened, who bears responsibility, and how future tragedies might be prevented.
The column suggests that those with serious doubts about the Commission’s credibility have alternative avenues available. Critics could hold press conferences, issue public statements, write letters, or use social media to voice their concerns. However, the piece argues, showing up to a meeting specifically convened for bereaved families while simultaneously dismissing the Commission’s legitimacy undermines the purpose of the gathering and disrespects those who are grieving.
The commentary concludes by asserting that families deserve better than to have meetings intended for their benefit become platforms for expressions of institutional distrust. It acknowledges that criticism of the Commission is legitimate, but maintains that those who have already decided the inquiry cannot produce credible answers should not attend meetings designed to serve the families’ interests rather than their own political or advocacy objectives.
The M.V. Barima sinking appears to have been a significant maritime incident in Guyana that resulted in multiple deaths. According to related reporting referenced in the source material, a Commission of Inquiry was established to investigate the incident, and there has been reported distrust in the inquiry process among some survivors and other stakeholders.
Maritime disasters and public inquiries into their causes are matters of regional concern, particularly in the Caribbean where shipping and maritime safety affect island and coastal communities. The broader question of public trust in official inquiries and how communities engage with investigative processes resonates across Caribbean nations dealing with similar governance and transparency challenges.
Sources and attribution
- Kaieteur News
- Guyanese Gov't says it's working closely with relatives of …
- CoI invites survivors, families, witnesses to participate in inquiry – Guyana Times
- MV Barima tragedy: jail liars, protect public servants from …
- Guyana Starts Ferry Inquiry After 73 Deaths
CVCA Express Draft: verification pending; WordPress publication is manual.