Submitted by Dawn Simmons – Chairman of the North American Region People’s National Congress Reform
The North American Region of the People’s National Congress Reform condemns the most recent heinous acts of torture committed by members of the Guyana Police Force on a fourteen-year old, while in their custody at the Leonora Police Station, Guyana. The shocking photographs published in the Kaieteur News on Saturday October 31, 2009, and appended to this statement provide gruesome evidence of the reprehensible conduct of the police officers.
It is alleged that members of the Police Force, while interrogating a teenager, set fire to his genital area after soaking him with mentholated spirits. He was also burned on his tongue and lips. This is not a singular case, but is the latest of several examples of the pervasive culture of the Police Force which permits such despicable behavior.
In a press statement issued only two days prior to this horrific incident, Guyana’s Parliamentary Opposition Leader, Mr. Robert Corbin of the People’s National Congress (PNCR) warned that the Ruling Party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) appears to condone torture of individuals in Guyana by its dismissal response to reported allegations of torture. Regrettably, the Administration, which is a signatory to the UN Convention Against Torture, seems comfortable with the current state of affairs in Guyana. The refusal of the Jagdeo Administration to take serious and drastic action in cases of reported torture coupled with its failure to condemn such behavior leads one to the conclusion that the Guyana Government gives tacit approval to these acts of torture. Moreover, the Government by its inaction conveys the message to the Security Forces that such behavior is acceptable.
Article 2, Paragraph 2 of UN Convention Against Torture clearly states that:
“No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture.”
The Convention places a direct obligation on the Government to respond positively to ensure that the provisions are not breached. The record of the PPP/C in this area is utterly dismal and this provision continues to be observed in its breach.
Guyanese have not forgotten the brutal torture of Edwin Niles while in the custody of the Guyana Prison Service and the reluctance of either the security forces or the Government to take any action until there was a public outcry. To date, there has been no explanation or known investigation on the torture of Patrick Sumner, Victor Jones, David Zammit and many others by the security forces. Similarly the state-sponsored murder of Journalist Ronald Waddell, informant Bacchus and countless hundreds goes uninvestigated and unpunished. Guyanese ask:”Where is the Justice?”
In January 2008 army personnel, Michael Dunn, Alvin Wilson and Sharth Robertson, made public their allegations that they were tortured by senior officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Amidst the public outcry, the Government finally announced the appointment of a Board of Inquiry from within the GDF, the same agency against whom the allegations were made. The PNCR challenged this and stated its position on February 7, 2008:
“The only credible way for the investigations, into the allegations of torture, to be done is by an independent commission, consisting of upstanding citizens of this Republic whose integrity is (sic) beyond question.”
The Guyana Government, however, covered up this matter by refusing to publish the report of the so-called inquiry and Mr. Robert Persaud, Minister of Agriculture, choose to disrespect the National Assembly by defending the Army’s torture as “roughing up”. The attitude of the PPP/C Administration in condoning torture was further highlighted by their prolonged refusal to debate a motion on torture brought to the National Assembly by the PNCR. When the motion was finally debated, it was evident that the PPP/C had no remorse or any respect for the people of Guyana.
These examples support the contention that the PPP/C Administration has condoned torture in Guyana in breach of their obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture. Not only is the Guyana Government in breach of the UN Convention, but it is also in violation of the Constitution of Guyana, which guarantees every citizen the right to protection from cruel and inhumane treatment. Art. 141 of the Constitution of Guyana clearly states that: “No person shall be subject to torture or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other treatment.”
No self-respecting persons, in civilized society, wherever located can allow the state of affairs to continue in Guyana. It was the late great Martin Luther King who said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We, in the diaspora, therefore call on the President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo to step down. We further call for the resignation of the Commissioner of Police, Henry Green and that of the Minister of Human Services and Child Welfare, Priya Manichand and the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee.
The North America Region demands a full and impartial inquiry into the events surrounding this case by an independent body so that the perpetrators of this crime could be identified and punished. We demand that discipline and proper protocol within the ranks of the security forces in Guyana be enforced to ensure that there is no further incidence of torture. We join our Party, The People’s National Congress Reform in its quest to end these unconstitutional and barbaric activities in Guyana. These atrocities must stop NOW! Protect the rights of the child TODAY… Tomorrow may be too late!
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