Dear Editor,

Allow me to extend my congratulations to the Disciplined Forces for finally bringing to an end the unimaginably cruel instincts of Guyana’s most dangerous duo. The struggle to capture Fineman was becoming more and more of a concern to every Guyanese, who knew not when their village or community would come under siege from maurading gunmen. So his demise I am sure was greeted by most of us with a sense of ease, although not completely. For many ask the question whether it was just this one Fineman who was the sole mastermind behind the recent havoc created in the country, or are there other generals? And what about the lieutenants? Cer-tainly, there was enough time during his reign for a solid recruitment process to have taken place. Yes, there are many questions to be answered.

However, since we seem to be on a roll of capturing criminals, I believe that it is time Guyanese should also know who were the criminals engaged in the act of torturing citizens, once the allegations are substantiated. So, again, I call on the President and the government to demonstrate that it is capable of adopting a non-partisan approach when it comes to crime and criminality in Guyana. For too long the report remains in the bosom of the President and his cabinet. I call on those responsible to respect the dignity and intellect of all Guyanese and not play politics with our human rights. Torture is illegal and outlawed in any civilized state. Those who committed, aided and abetted these acts are no less criminals than those who terrorize an entire community. We cannot play politics with the crime and security matters of our country; to do this will only make our total security more fragile.

The torture report must not be pushed under the carpet nor allowed to languish under the cushions of the Office of the President. Guyanese were promised that the report would be made public; it’s time to deliver for us. And what about Edwin Niles, and the state of the investigation regarding his death while in the custody of the Guyana Prison Service? Was there a conclusive position on the Lindo Creek massacre, or will Fineman’s death stifle further investigations?

The public needs to be updated on these matters.

Yours faithfully,
Lurlene Nestor