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EDITORIAL: Let the law and justice prevail; not a mob

By on June 21, 2015

[The views expressed in this Editorial piece are those of Patrick E. Jones.]

Rupert Myles in detention

Rupert Myles in detention

Punta Gorda town, Toledo. Sunday, June 21, 2015. Earlier today, I posted a photograph on my social media (Facebook) page with the caption: “Racism or something else?”

The post followed a conversation with Rupert Myles, the gentleman shown in handcuffs and rope restraints.

Since this is an “editorial” piece and not an ordinary news piece, let me just say up front that these are my views and my opinions.

My primary issue with the situation is the treatment of Mr. Myles. The optics of it all is unsettling to say the least.

I am by no way condoning anything wrong that Mr. Myles may have done wrong.

If Mr. Myles has done anything that is contrary to the established laws of Belize or the accepted traditional Maya community laws which are part of the laws of Belize.

If Mr. Myles broke the laws, he must be made to face the consequences. But those consequences must not be at the peril of his constitutional rights.

The Maya leaders of Santa Cruz village have deferred comment, presumably until Monday when they would have had time to consult with their advisers, as well they should.

Especially since the “race card” has been thrown into the mix.

Mr. Myles has made some serious allegations against the leaders of Santa Cruz and against a prominent member of the Maya Leaders Alliance.

To hear him tell those allegations, coupled with the visuals of his restraints in metal handcuffs and nylon rope, is a frightening scenarios that is disturbing on so many fronts.

I was not there. I did not hear those derogatory words/insults allegedly offered to him.

I can only hope that Rupert heard wrongly.

Mr. Myles has furnished me with copies of letters, both hand written and printed, that were sent to him by the leaders of Santa Cruz regarding his occupation of the property he now lives on.

This, from what I have read and understand, is the proper procedure being followed by the village leaders.

They have documented the case and have indicated that they, the Maya leaders, have also been updating the Institute of Archaeology about the situation.

The police have also been made aware of the situation, according to the documents I have seen.

The apparent inaction then, both by the IOA and the police raises serious questions on the part of those entities; but that, in my opinion, does not give anyone, not even the Maya leaders, the right to “hog-tie” a man and menace him with a large crowd of men brandishing machetes.

No one; no Belizean should be subjected to this kind of treatment in this day and age.

I go back to my initial statement: if Mr. Myles broke the law, let the appropriate laws and their penalties be applied. And applied to the full extent.

Curiously, Mr. Myles was released and not charged or fined by those who detained him, even though the Alcalde has the power to do this under the Alcalde’s Jurisdiction law.

So what was the purpose for his handcuffing? And for tying him up with a rope?

There is much more to this story.

And in the coming days, as more and more light is shed on the situation.

I am hoping and praying that the pieces will fall into place and give me cause to retract my questioning of whether the situation has a tinge of racism involved or not. I was man enough to publish my query, if I am wrong, I will be man enough to in like manner offer a full retraction if I am wrong.

It is a Sunday night. And come tomorrow, Monday, there is no doubt that this story will have taken on a life of its own.

And as certain as the Monday morning sun will light up the day at dawn, I assure you that there will be so many people jumping to conclusions that we just might feel the earth move.

But at the end of the day, I still believe that entire situation in Santa Cruz on Saturday, June 20, was mishandled big time and it has the potential to backfire.

This is a situation that should have been best left to the police, to IOA to handle.

And if, as the Mayas of Santa Cruz say that there was no response from these entities, then both of those agencies must also be made to answer as to why they have not dealt with the issue.

It is about to get really interesting and I truly hope that the truth will prevail and the situation resolved through peaceful, legal means.

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