Ombudsman releases 2nd annual report
He does his work methodically and quietly, without profiling or press coverage… but don’t let the Ombudsman’s courteous manner fool you. He investigates each case thoroughly and where necessary displays the tenacity of a pit bull. This week Paul Rodriguez issued his second annual report.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
The one hundred and forty-eight-page report documents in English and Spanish, a variety of complaints to Ombudsman Paul Rodriguez by citizens who feel they have been wronged or treated unjustly by the authorities.
Rodriguez says he’s especially proud of two Ombudsman success stories.
Paul Rodriguez, Ombudsman
“This person after twenty years was told that he can go on pension by the then British Governor, the last Governor of Belize. Twenty years passed and he didn’t get his pension or his gratuity. So he complained to the Ombudsman last of a all, after going through various governments and what have you, he finally complained to us and thankfully we were able to persuade the people involved that this man should be paid his pension. Actually, the moment the Solicitor General saw the submission that was made, he said of course the man is entitled to his pension, even if it’s after a hundred years.”
“The other case involves an old tax case that goes back to 1991. This person, year after year, has been submitting his returns and his claims, and he came to the Ombudsman. Right away I recognized the claim for what is was, but I thought the important issue was to get the matter settled. This is what we persuaded the Commissioner of Income Tax to do. Thankfully, the matter was finally resolved and when the Commissioner of Income Tax gracefully brought the man’s voucher to me, I delivered it a day or two later to him.”
Rodriguez says he submitted four special reports to the National Assembly, since some breach of duty or misconduct was evident. One of the cases is that of inmate Clarence Gentle, who was allegedly shot in the leg by a guard during a riot at the prison in 1999.
Paul Rodriguez
“I still feel that justice has not been done to the family of Brambles. I happen to know that this matter is being pursued in civil court by the family of Brambles, and this is what I recommended. I realised that this was what the family needed to do and they have gone ahead to that course of action, to take out a civil suit. I believe that soon we will be hearing about this.”
“But in the case of wrongful death, unfortunately so far we have not had a very good average, the percentage is very low. We have reported three and out of those three, so far our record is zip.”
Another case he’s hoping to revisit is that of Daniel Tillett.
Paul Rodriguez
“The infamous case. September twenty-first, while celebrating, slightly tipsy he taken into custody by the police and an hour and a half later he was brought out feet first, dead…a corpse. Based on the case that was brought to court, and I have looked at that case, I don’t see how any jury would have convicted anyone of the murder of Daniel Tillett. So this tells me that no proper effort was made to investigate properly to bring in a case, a credible case to the Supreme Court.”
“So the Ombudsman has to get in there and do an investigation and present that to the police and the National Assembly to make sure some justice is done for the family of Daniel Tillett.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“How do you look at cracking the code of silence that exists within the rank and file of the police?”
Paul Rodriguez
“You’ve put your finger on one of the problems the police have. I have heard of close to the top ranking policemen say “I am the law. You can’t do me anything.” And I am sorry, but I have to tell him and anybody who talks like that, not even the Prime Minister talks like that or the Governor General, nobody is above the law. We are all subject to the law. The law is your safety, and if you act outside of the law, then you are just a criminal.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
Rodriguez says he submitted the completed report on Daniel Tillett this morning to the Police Commissioner for his perusal and action.
