Dear Editor,
We would be making a mistake of enormous proportions if we responded to the torture of the 14 year old boy while in police custody as an isolated act of barbarity by individual out-of-control policemen. The assurances of the Commissioner of Police ring as hollow now as the Chief of Staff’s declarations about the professionalism of the coast guard a few months ago when ranks brutally murdered a young man. These incidents fall into a pattern of behaviour which has been given free rein by the authorities responsible for controlling the activities of the joint forces.
Let the torture of this young boy urge us to stop seeing evil only when it hurts “our side”. Some public opinion is still very coloured by the view that unlawful actions by the security forces against suspected criminals are justified in the interests of public safety. When young men of African descent are tortured or shot dead, a majority of non-Africans accept that they are criminals and that the police violation of law and Constitution is necessary action. Others who are not of this view are silenced by the official responses – if you object to the killing and torture of young men who are suspected of violent crimes, you are in sympathy with violent criminals. In the last several years we have heard these views from the highest officials of the government, and so have the members of the joint services.
The fact that the more psychotic among them fail to understand that the worst excesses should only be directed at the “suspected criminals”, and then preferably in circumstances where it is less easy to verify allegations of torture, has now clearly exposed the danger of a population supporting or remaining silent in the face of unlawful actions by law enforcement agencies. We must know that none of us is safe.
The professional men and women in these forces must know that they are tarnished by this behaviour, and by their acceptance of unlawful instructions. Their silence about wrong doing in their ranks makes them as guilty as the perpetrators.
Draw the line. It is past time for all Guyanese to oppose the law breaking of elements of the joint services.
Is it accidental that in the midst of the outcry against the latest police outrage the President’s advisor on governance has summoned a meeting (yesterday) for a conversation on security sector reform, providing a link to the correspondence between the Government of Guyana and the British on their recent differences of opinion on the security sector project? Will civil society continue to allow itself to be the mask behind which the President continues to excuse and justify the worst excesses of the state machinery?
The torture of this teenager at Leonora is not the action of rogue police officers. It is the action of agents of a state gone rogue. The Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces is ultimately responsible and he must be held to account.
Yours faithfully,
Karen de Souza,
Andaiye
Joycelyn Bacchus
Cora Belle
Red Thread
Extracted: “Draw the line. It is past time for all Guyanese to oppose the law breaking of elements of the joint services.”
You guys never laid out a proposal of how to oppose the law-breaking elements of the Joint Services, so what exactly is your message? Look, you’d be better off telling Guyanese to start calibrating their thinking to vote for a new government in 2011 because this one has failed the basic test of effective and responsible governance. If, after 17 years, the PPP has not reformed the Police and Army, and both still have rogue elements, how can you blame the Police and Army? It’s like the song: “A man can’t go no father than your woman let him,” and the same principle applies: the Police and Army can only do what the government lets them. Problem is, if the Police and Army continue to host rogue elements, they may one day turn against the government. Where are the British and their aid for security sector reform when you need them?
You ladies of Red thread are so out of your element on this one. The person responsible is not the Commissioner of Police. It is his PPP Boss, the Home Affairs minister from whom he takes his orders that is ultimately accountable.
This letter gives the appearance as if your jumping on the band wagon.
Outdated opinions and scapegoating will get you nowhere.
It is time to think of new forms of struggle!
WPA ladies, Guyana also have to oppose the law breaking elements of govt’. Some of you should not be seen in the President’s company who is presiding over this lawlessness. Walter would not have gone near to him even with a ten foot pole, LCDS or pancakes! Nothing would have made Walter come close to him or have his members do!
yuh done brand de entire police force suh whu mo yuh want?
Ladies. Can any boss discipline a subordinate female employee if he sought sexual favors from her. In like manner, the PPP government encouraged the armed forces to be part of RK’s criminal enterprise. Too many people in high places have been compromised. The horses broke out of the barn a long time ago and were allowed to stray.
Take it easy brother evil. “Soft answer turneth away wrath but grievous words stir up anger.” Guyana must benifit from what we say and do.
A good reponse for me. They highlighted a critical mindset of some…A divided people can never move foward not now or not never and thats what we need to constantly bang in some people heads. As the girls say none of us are safe.
All Guyanese oppose those who break the laws anywhere in Guyana. So why are you still writing this letter ?
Really so how come Raja was left to run wilde?
Big Augustus…..leave them let them write and Raj Walter had people in every corner of Guyana so don’t put down red thread. Guyanese are notas fortcoming as back inthe day……all man and woman want toexit Guyana.
So Red Thread keep doing what yu doing…..stay strong brothers and sisters.
Now every body is crying about the tourcher of the 14 year old boy which I say is wrong.Some people are blaming the government for every thing.not the commander for the D division.Paulette Morrision who should be fully responsible for every thing that is taking place in and around Leonora Police station.