– Attorney General

-by Kimberly Giddings

Attorney General Anil Nandlall says no survivor or relative of victims of the M.V. Barima tragedy has been compensated, as he pushes back against reports about Government assistance to affected families.

He says President Irfaan Ali established the H.E.A.R.T. initiative to support affected families.

The initiative includes a team of lawyers, led by former Belize Attorney General and Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay, to assist survivors and relatives with legal matters.

Nandlall says the lawyers have begun meeting affected persons in Regions One and Four, including Mabaruma and Port Kaituma, to explain the process and provide legal assistance.

“The persons who have met with the lawyers have been informed in writing so they each have a letter, that their participation is voluntary, that they remain free to obtain independent legal advice, that they have also been advised that the terms and conditions applicable to any eventual payment will be set out in an agreement. Should that arise,” he said.
Nandlall says the legal process is being handled separately from the Government, with the lawyers engaging directly with survivors and their relatives.

It is important to emphasize that at this stage, no financial offer of compensation has been made to any survivor or family. Statements that specific sums have, statements that a specific sum has already been offered to any person iswholly untrue,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Commission of Inquiry into the M.V. Barima tragedy is inviting survivors, relatives of victims, witnesses and others with relevant information to apply for standing in the proceedings.

According to a public notice issued Tuesday, applications will be considered based on factors including whether the person has relevant evidence, a direct or substantial interest in the inquiry, or may face significant criticism during the proceedings or in the final report.

The Commission may also grant standing where a person’s participation could assist it in fulfilling its terms of reference.

Applications can be made to Commission Secretary Javed Shaddick at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre or via the contact details provided by the Commission.