The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) says while the public continues to be baffled by the events that led to the Jonestown disaster, it was important to note that the tragedy could have been avoided if not for political interference in the judicial process.
In a press release the group noted that the “devastating incident” at Jonestown left 909 persons including 303 children and US Congressman Leo Ryan dead. Guyanese who are old enough will recall that in the early hours of November 18, 1978 “we were bombarded by frantic calls from relatives overseas to verify reports which were first heard in the USA, that spoke to the horrors of a tragedy of immense proportions.”
Subsequently it was revealed that The People’s Temple, led by “the notorious, iron-fisted Jim Jones” had self-destructed as a result of acts of murder and suicide orchestrated by him. The Temple had its genesis in the USA and counted mainly American citizens in its membership, the WPA said however, Guyanese were as traumatized as the survivors and relatives of the deceased.
The WPA said while questions continue to arise about the purpose of the Temple, what is clear is that Jim Jones and his group were allowed to establish a settlement by the PNC government in Guyana’s interior and there was little governmental oversight of the operations of that organisations. It is also clear that the Temple “had acquired considerable influence among certain political officials in the then government who among other things, attempted to influence the course of justice.” The WPA said the action by then minister of home affairs Vibert Mingo to get Justice Aubrey Bishop to reverse his decision that Jones “must appear and give evidence in the Baby Stoen case” that had been engaging his attention, is just one example. Jones ignored the judge’s order, the WPA said, adding that perhaps the outcome at Jonestown might have been different if Justice Bishop’s order had been heeded.
The group said too the most the most important lesson to be learnt from the tragedy is that political interference in the judicial process has far-reaching negative effects in a country and its citizens. Also, it is important that Guyana’s soil and sovereignty is never compromised for any purpose.
