Cause to change on death certificate of Dr Walter Rodney

IT WAS NOT A CAVILLING ABOUT WORDS WHEN THE GOVERNMENT
ANNOUNCED AT THURSDAY’S PARLIAMENT that the word assassination will replace
misadventure, and professor will substitute for unemployed on the 41-year-old death certificate
of far-famed history professor, Dr Walter Rodney late leader of the political party, the Working
Peoples Alliance (WPA).
Rodney died close to the Camp Street prison in the capital city on June 13, 1980 when an
explosive device thought to be a ‘walkie talkie’ which was built by Gregory Smith, a Guyana
Defence Force (GDF) electronics expert, exploded in his lap killing him instantly.
Smith was reportedly spirited out of the country the day after Rodney’s death and was on the lam
for some 22 years when he died in November 2002.

Rodney’s death remained a raging controversy in Guyana for more than a generation and closure
became closer when the Irfaan Ally administration acceded to a request from the late Rodney’s
wife, Patricia and his children Shaka, Kanini, and Asha to formally honour the life, legacy and
contribution of the late scholar and political activist.
“Today, the privilege is mine to announce that His Excellency, the President, and the
Government of Guyana have acceded to this request as part of the historic step of bringing a
level of closure to the Rodney family with respect to the death of Dr. Walter Rodney,” Nandlall
told legislators.
“This is a momentous occasion for many reasons, and it is also a personal privilege for me and
indeed, all of us, to be part of a process to right this tragic wrong and to begin the process…” the
AG said making the announcement.
The cause of death on Rodney’s death certificate will now say “assassination” instead of
“misadventure” Nandlall said. Inked on the death certificate of the internationally-renowned
history scholar will be the word “professor” and not “unemployed” to correct the historical
wrong done the late local university professor.

“We have already begun…our efforts to secure the record of the 2014 Commission of Inquiry.
Those records will be digitized by our National Archives, recently renamed the Walter Rodney
National Archives, in collaboration with the Walter Rodney Foundation and the Atlanta
University Center – Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta, Georgia, and copies of the same will
be housed at that institution as part of the Walter Rodney Papers and Special Collection,” the AG
announced.
“To say that Dr. Rodney’s death and ensuing events in relation thereto, were a horrendous
miscarriage of justice, would be an appalling understatement. The self-evident truth is that when
wrongs of such magnitude occur, they can never really be righted. The least that can be done in
this instance is to attempt to grant the wishes of the loved ones of Dr. Rodney and to work with
them in bringing these wishes to fruition, as they attempt to forge their closure in relation to this
horrific tragedy,” said Nandlall.
In February 8, 2014, a Commission of Inquiry was appointed by then President Donald Ramotar,
to inquire into and report on, the circumstances surrounding Dr. Rodney’s death. The findings of
the report were tabled under the APNU/AFC administration in 2016. Additionally, then PPPC
opposition member Gail Teixeira had also tabled a Motion in parliament, stressing that the
Motion was voted down by the Government.

“The government (PPPC) hereby commits to move another Motion in this house shortly, seeking
the approval of that Report by this House and a resolution that the recommendations contained
therein be approved,” the Minister of legal Affairs and AG declared.
It was at inquest some eight years after Dr. Rodney’s death which claimed he died from
‘misadventure’.
“This inquest was reviewed by the 2014 Commission of Inquiry and found to be incredible,
flawed and dubious (and) steps will be taken to invalidate or set aside the perverse findings
of that inquest,” Nandlall promised.