Six months ago Barbados lawyer David Comissiong told the papers:
“I was able to convey good news to Mr. Garcia. Having had several discussions with Prime Minister Stuart …, I was able to inform Mr. Garcia that concrete steps were underway to have him removed from Dodds Prison, and transferred to a non-punitive facility.
“I explained to Mr Garcia that although he would not be a ‘free man’, he would be relieved of the indignity of still being confined in a prison after having served his time and paid his dues to society. He would also be relieved of a number of restrictions and privations that are an intrinsic part of the Dodds’ prison culture,”
… See BFP’s Barbados prisoner Raúl García vows hunger strike until death
Then Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite gave Comissiong a “Put up or shut up” challenge…
“Responding to Comissiong’s criticism about the government continuing to hold Raul Garcia in prison for two years after he finished his 17 year sentence for drug offences, Mr. Brathwaite offered to release Garcia into Comissiong’s custody and care.”
“Brathwaite informed Comissiong, who is an attorney-at-law, that if he could put him up at his residence and guarantee to him, Brathwaite, that there was where the ex-convict would remain, then he would permit his release. No final decision was taken on that issue.”
…from BFP’s Attorney General challenges David Comissiong: You don’t really care about Raul Garcia
Comissiong didn’t take the bait, didn’t release Garcia. Now, six months later…
Nothing has changed and we haven’t heard from David Comissiong since February. Was Comissiong grabbing onto the cause of the day when Garcia was on a hunger strike? When Garcia ended the hunger strike was that the end of David Comissiong’s interest?
Was it all about the publicity for Comissiong? Just the latest high-profile case? We notice that Comissiong represents many causes at the outset but then says nothing as they fade into obscurity.
Hey… David… do you really give a damn about Raul Garcia?
Prove it.
photo of Mr. Comissiong courtesy of Caribbean360.com, doctored by Shona (thanks darlin’ !)
It is time for Comissiong to put up or shut up. Where is the outrage about this? Were it Canada, USA or Britain holding a man for two years illegally, there would be hell to pay. Free Raul Garcia!
If it was Canada, USA or England, after he had served his sentence would be put on a plane and sent back where he came from, no questions asked, so whoever want this criminal to be released should take him into their own homes. Well done Attorney General I congratulate you for your advice to Mr. Comissiong.
Commissiong should not have got involved in the first place.
Commissiong has ties to Cuba and it is Cuba that is at fault in this case.
Commissiong’s hands were tied from the beginning.
Comicsong is a pure joker, an opportunistic trying to make himself important.. Just want to know is correct Garcia needs putting a plane to the place from whence he came and dat is dat!
“Brathwaite informed Comissiong, who is an attorney-at-law, that if he could put him up at his residence and guarantee to him, Brathwaite, that there was where the ex-convict would remain, then he would permit his release. No final decision was taken on that issue.”
What kind of policy is that? Bully tactics from Gov to avoid their responsibility to deal with Garcia properly. Commissong was right not to respond. Garcia should not be in prison and a facility for immigrants awaiting deportation needs to be provided.
Government needs to be putting pressure on Cuba to take him back, not behaving stupidly with such actions to Commissong.