Tonight the pressure continues to mount on the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as the sickout of 5 of her office's 11 crown counsels extended into day 2. The sickout is a form of industrial action resembling a strike - except it's done without notice and under the guise of illness.
The crown counsels timed it to coincide with the opening of the High Court when their services are most required since they are leading all criminal prosecutions.
It was orchestrated for maximum effect because negotiations with government for better compensation and a security allowance have been ongoing for months without a satisfactory conclusion.
Our team was at the court today to see the effect the sickout is having:
Today DPP Cheryl Lynn Vidal was seen coming from the courtroom of Justice Nigel Pilgrim - where she appeared in the place of the prosecutor assigned to the case - who is out sick for the second day in a row. So, the DPP appeared in the matter to prosecute Jared Ranguy for a triple murder. She is being assisted by police inspector attorney Dervin Sambula.
All indications are that it is a sickout - staged by 5 of the 11 prosecutors countrywide - arising from frustrations and concerns first ventilated in this letter in early July. Reports tell us the crowns are not satisfied that dialogue with the government has been satisfactory and are determined to force concessions out of government.
The Attorney General today refused to accept that it is industrial action:
Jules Vasquez
"They are saying they are not going back until you all come to the table and give them that security allowance that they are asking for or provide security."
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
"Well, I'm not quite sure who you've been speaking to, but let me say this: first and foremost, so there are a couple crown counsel who called in sick yesterday."
Jules Vasquez
"5, a couple is 2."
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
"5, thank you for that correction. I take that at face value and I believe that is genuine. I mean crown counsels as you know they are officers of the crown, no less. They are ministers of justice and certainly, I would not think that any of our crowns would misrepresent the state of affairs with respect to their health and so I take at face value that those who called in sick are indeed sick. I cannot conceive of crows, ministers of justice misrepresenting the status of their health."
Jules Vasquez
"You do not take it as industrial action?"
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
"I do not take it."
And while the DPP basically held the fort, she can only do so much - no crown counsels were seen at the High Court in Belize City or Belmopan. Still, Sylvester says all is well enough:
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
"Whilst you have persons who have called in sick, there are presently crowns and presently other persons who ensure that the business of the court continues."
Optically, the business continued today, with the DPP doing the courthouse hop. But for how long? The strain is showing in the DPP's office which today sent out 7 memoranda to the police department saying they cannot advise on. All these cases are active before the court at the lower court level. Will that force government to the negotiating table?:
Reporter
"What actions are being taken to address these issues?"
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
"As I have indicated when the letter was first sent, we met with representative of the crowns on two occasions and there were healthy meetings and those meetings continue and this is the reason why, speaking for myself, I cannot see or regard persons sending notices that they are sick as industrial action."
Jules Vasquez
"But sir, you're whistling past the grave yard and the ghost is about. We are literally in the graveyard so be careful."
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
"I like your figure of speech."
Jules Vasquez
"I am saying that it is clear that the event was timed - let's call it what it is, it was time to coincide with the official opening of the court and it was time to undermine the functioning of the DPP's office. The DPP had to be shuffling between courtrooms."
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
"And I am saying again that I cannot conceive that crowns, officers of the crown, ministers of justice will deliberately seek to undermine the work of the court. I cannot conceive of that."
Jules Vasquez
"But similarly, they cannot conceive that you all would leave such an important matter in abeyance. That is their personal security. That is what they are saying. It is inconceivable that the government would not tend to the prosecutors who have to deal with the criminals."
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
"No, no. That is far from the actual fact. The issue with respect to security has been addressed. I have spoken to both the Commissioner of Police and as well as the DPP on issues relating to security have been addressed."
Jules Vasquez
"Have they been satisfactorily addressed ot address to your satisfaction?"
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
"The issues of security have been addressed."
Jules Vasquez
"To mutual satisfaction?"
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
"The issues of security have been addressed, as Indicated we are still in dialogue. There are issues that have to be discussed. We will not arrive at a completely satisfactory resolution. These things take time and obviously will appreciate well...."
Jules Vasquez
"While the grass di grow, the horse di starve. While this is happening, the criminals are going unprosecuted. The DPP herself was in court today. That's the reality."
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
"I love and appreciate your euphemism. At times you are hyperbole, but that is not the case, Jules. As indicated all the courts in Belize right now, the high courts, they are properly staffed by competent counsels who address the issues which are before the courts at this point."
Sylvester is counting on the DPP to keep hopping across courtrooms until their next meeting with the crowns which is set for Friday.
Reports say that today the DPP's office was only staffed by herself and support staff which include administration, the clerk and the secretary. No Prosecutors for the Belize City Office showed up for work. We are also reliably informed that no Prosecutors showed up for work in the Belmopan Office. However, we were reliably informed that the Prosecutors of Orange Walk Supreme Court were in office today as Justice Herbert Lord, who is presiding over that jurisdiction was in operation.
Credible sources tell us that the Crown Counsels are prepared to stick it out with the sick out because they are concerned about their safety.
We'll let you know what comes out of Friday's meeting and if the sickout continues tomorrow.
