Dear Editor,
It is only a beast that would look into the eyes of a terrified child and calculatingly inflict such an horrendous injury that shocks an entire nation. I cannot find words to describe the emotions that ran through me as I looked at the photo on the front page of Kaieteur News. This is torture of the worst kind.
If anger was part of the emotions overtaking me at that moment it was because atrocities of this kind are usually committed because the perpetrators fully well know that they can get away with it. Because the leader of the main opposition political party in Guyana has become a toothless, paper waving, white collar type with no intention of aggressively representing the Guyanese suffering masses.
He must be made to resign immediately. These things are only happening because Robert Corbin is weak.
Yours faithfully,
Norman Browne
I agree that Corbin should resign to allow new inspiring and passionate leadership.
Bismattie
i think you would be a better leader fuh de pee n cee…
why nat try your hand at it….
Norman Browne, you hit the nail on the hammer but I would add some more. Under Mr. Hoyte what happening today would have NEVER happened! Mr. Hoyte was a lawyer who took the law seriously and believed justice was blind. His statemanship and forthrightness would have kept Jagdeo in check! Robert Corbin, Khemraj Ramjattan and Raphael Trotman as lawyers and politicans have disappointed so badly. The country is declining under their leadership and they too are propping up the degeneracy. Law for them is used to satisfy themsleves or their political ambitions. SN please do not edit my feelings which are based on observations and time permitting I could give examples of.
Why you think Jagdeo congradulated him on his “victory”
Nonsense, I am no fan of Corbin but give me a break, the electorate gave the PPP a mandate to govern and it is the electorate that has to call for an end to the PPP’s reign of terror not Mr. Corbin.
We know he is useless but what are the people doing? are they couch potatoes or Couch cassava’s? where the heck is the outrage from the Teachers in this country?
Where are the religious leaders? are they all busy on the integrity committee?
Raj I would be very interested in your examples. I had posted the following in a previous blog for your attention: Raj and Pepie, I would like to draw your attention to: http://allianceforchange.blogspot.com/2008/05/petition-from-citizens-of-guyana-to.html
When Mr. Robert Persaud made his infamous “roughing up” statement it was in response to the AFC raising the issue of torture in Parliament. Why do you think so many accuse the AFC of arguing in favour of criminals? I am therefore at a loss over your views.
Please see my interview in the Guyana Review where I speak on these issues: http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/guyana-review/10/30/politics-what-does-the-alliance-for-change-stand-for/
Raj, most times whenever I read your blogs I agree with you, but I do not fully understand your beef with the AFC – and I would appreciate you letting me try addressing this. My email is gerhard.ramsaroop@gmail.com
Gerhard, I have no beef with the AFC. You would agree the AFC has no universal focus on law and order. Jagdeo is Commander-In-Chief and President of Guyana and took an Oath to uphold the Constitution. He has broken many laws in the book and many times the AFC was silent, lukewarn or supported the gov’t lawlessness. When police was killing, which is against the law, the AFC was silent or supported the police. Ramjattan and Trotman joined the bangwagon of the ruling Party and supporters calling people criminals without the judicial system so pronouncing them. All human lives got value.
Ramjattan and Trotman are lawyers and know that one is innocent until proven guilty by the Courts. This is my disappointment with the AFC. They are equally culpable for the degeneracy. You would admit these men are not strict adherents and advocates to the rule of law and due process.
The AFC joined with the PPP and called people criminals which gave licence to the police to torture and kill people. We live in a modern and civilised world and the Courts must work for all regardless of whether people think they are criminals or not. What make this ‘criminal’ different from previous criminals, who were tortured and killed? Your answer Gerhard, will reveal what those who believe in law and universal justice think of the AFC.
Guyana has become the most lawless state in post colonial history under the PPP and this is not what we expected when we voted the PNC out.
Raj, thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I am now however more at a loss then ever, since the AFC I know and the one you speak of could not possibly be one and the same. I gave you links to follow illustrating both the AFC’s and my personal positions.
In the four years of the AFC’s existence I truly know of no time where the AFC’s views and the PPP’s coincided in the manner you speak of. One of the pillars of our election campaign in 2006 was the Roger Khan issue along with our condemnation of ALL killings in the post 2002 period. The killing of bandits has left Guyana no more secure – as one is killed another takes his place – Blackie, then Andrew Douglas, then Fineman – all gunned down and no questions answered. Therefore we can never be sure of what will reoccur when.
We have argued since our formation, for professionalising the Disciplined Forces and not criminalising them. What we see today is a result of our pleas and recommendations falling on deaf ears, exacerbated by silence from so many.
I would be very interested in your specific examples of what you are saying, since there has got to be some misunderstanding or misinterpretation.
Brendon, you have said it all. Where you were Bismattie Ramsawak when the PNC and Corbin was out there Picketing and calling on the Government, GDF and Police Force for torturing several young men?
Where were you when Corbin takes this matter of Torture to Parliament? Which as a result, the Government agree to have an inquiry?
Talk is cheep you should do some thing instead of putting down the one who is after the Government wrong doing.
eh! eh! is who does picket together with the pnc? who is the lil brother of the pnc? now y’all saying carbin weak.
A weak leader of 42%.
A leader? Of what,exactly? Forget PNC for the moment. Refocus.The word ‘lead’ does not necessarily mean exactly what it says.It takes some time to understand the word and how it is applied.Standing at the side with a stick and saying ‘go forward,’ is surely not the way to lead by example.
they get away with these things because there are no Guyanese living in Guyana. There are africans, indians, portuguese, chinese, peoples of mixed race, and expatriates who mind their own business and don’t care two hoots about what happens to their fellow man.But then not all of us matter and have the same rights.
It has nothing to do with Corbin.
Remember when Hoyte was demonstrating aggressively in the streets,civil society condemned his actions,accusing the demonstrators of hooliganism and theft,and that businesses were suffering financial loses, and that tourists will not come to Guyana, etc.
Well time has passed and the momentum has been lost.
Maybe the rich and famous may be able to save some (who matter) from torture but not all who holler.
corbin need to step aside and allow someone else with vision to lead the opposition.I think if khemraj and Rapheal is given a chance that would keep jagdeo and the ppp in check.I dont think there is any one left in the ppp that can replace cheddi and am surprised at bharrat being a student of cheddi.I for one did not forsee this coming in 1992 after all that was said of the kind of change they were bringing.