This week marks the first anniversary of what has become known as the 3rd October incident. This day is also known as “Black October” in opposition circles.
That was the day one year ago when the police, with instructions from their political masters set upon a peaceful gathering at the precinct of the National Assembly, with batons, tear gas and rubber bullets. The inevitable results were serious bodily harm and injuries to a number of people, one of whom being the official Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, the Honourable Wavel Ramkalawan. The attack on the peaceful demonstrators was an unprovoked one.
The Leader of the Democratic Party, at the time called the attack on Ramkalawan and other members of the National Assembly a direct assault on our democracy. Members of the National Assembly are protected against any interference by anyone when they are on the precinct of the Assembly. In fact the assault took place while the Assembly was still in session. Sadly, there has been no formal inquiry by the Assembly itself in the incident, nor a review of procedures to ensure that such an incident does not happen again.
Although President Michel was not in the country at that time, in a press statement while he was still in the VIP lounge after returning, he gave his full and unequivocal approval for the assault on a peaceful demonstration. Mr Michel, however, allowed better counsel to prevail after he had time to learn the facts behind the incident after reaching his office at State House, for soon afterwards he announced that he had appointed a judge from the
President Michel also appointed a commission made up of eminent Seychellois personalities to review the old colonial Law and Order Act which allows the police not only to restrict the fundamental right to peaceful assembly guaranteed by the Constitution, but also to declare a gathering a riot without any evidence of provocation by those demonstrating, as well as to attack them with brute force as and when the police feel like it. The commission has met, regrettably always in private and never once invited members of the public to address them about their concerns or to give counsel. We understand their report has been handed over to the President of the Republic. Was theirs a futile exercise? Have they been duped by the propaganda machine of State House?
As the nation waits with bated breaths for Judge Riley’s report, many questions remain unanswered and President Michel has remained suspiciously silent on the issue.
Is the President going to make both reports public?
Are the reports going to be tampered with?
Are we going to get the full and unvarnished truth?
Is the government going to implement the recommendations contained in the reports?
Will any police officer in the wrong be prosecuted?
These are all relevant questions which the people of