Georgetown: Retired Justice Winston Moore died Friday, plunging the legal fraternity into mourning. The Guyanese Ombudsman began his legal career as an Attorney-at-Law in 1983. In 1998, he was appointed high Court Judge. In 2007 Justice Moore served as the Judge Advocate for Guyana Defence Force. He was also a former officer of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and a former employee of the then Inland Revenue Service (IRS) which is now the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
His death after a prolonged illness came two years after he was appointed in January 2014. President David Granger, in a message of condolence, states that “the Cooperative Republic of Guyana mourns the passing of the Honourable Justice Winston Lennox Mc Lennon Moore, Ombudsman of Guyana, who passed away on Friday September 16, 2016.”
“His Excellency Brigadier David Granger, MSS, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana extends heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Ms. Viera Moore and children; Nichole, Gary, Gavin and Kevin, as well as other family members and friends of the late Justice Winston Moore.”
An Ombudsman examines complaints by members of the public who feel that they have been unfairly treated by public bodies. Prior to Moore’s appointment on January 13, 2014 under the then People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration, Guyana has not had an Ombudsman since the retirement of Justice Sheik Mohamed in 2005.
While a High Court Judge, he had presided over the trial of treason accused Mark Benschop which had ended in a hung jury after one juror had maintained that Benschop was guilty. Benschop was later pardoned by then President Bharrat Jagdeo.
An Ombudsman is an official usually appointed by the government or by Parliament but with a significant degree of independence. One such official is charged with representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or violation of rights. The typical duties of an Ombudsman are to investigate complaints and attempt to resolve them. Ombudsmen sometimes also aim to identify systemic issues leading to poor service or breaches of people’s rights.
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