Dear Editor,
We need to compliment this PPP administration for having so far been able to tear apart the slender moral fabric of our society, and in essence be al1owed as the old folks say, to “get away with murder,” in some cases, literally so.
The list of purported serious unsolved crimes is long, shameful and unbelievable in a country where we are told had a “return to democracy.”
To be told the truth and to mount inquests seem to be, to use the word of our illustrious Head of State, ‘something that has become obsolete’.
Thank God for a few, too few, courageous media personnel, who allowed the public to learn of this recent torture of a fifteen year old lad.
In the face of this revelation, the police seem more concerned as to how one newspaper obtained a photo of the hapless young victim, than how or why this heinous crime was committed.
This is a well established pattern by those who we expect to be the guardians of the law, correct procedures and to protect every citizen.
A human tendency is to do what you believe your superiors wish you to do. This is what this recent torture is all about.
First, recall in the midst of credible reports about torturing by sections of our Security Forces our most Honourable Minister of Agriculture tacitly justified this barbarity by telling the Nation it was just ‘roughing up.’
You see, history has a puckish way of repeating itself.
I recall a case of the Police doing exactly what those at the very top desired
After the bombing of Freedom House during the PPP reign, Emanuel Batson-Fairbain was picked up by certain Police ranks whose political sympathies were known.
Fairbain was mercilessly beaten in order to “talk” – he was in a state of near lifelessness when he was taken to a private hospital.
His family and friends only got photos and access to him, thanks to the risky cooperation of certain medical staff.
Nothing was ever proved against this young man who suffered physical and mental distress to the end of his life.
As will happen again, time and delay will put this matter to slumber – as so many others.
Lindo, the fake marriage, contracts, the CLICO matter, Mavado, Wild Life scam, Roger Khan etc
What we see is a repeat now baptized ‘roughing up’ by those who are the real operatives who once described the Police as ‘goons’ when in their view the Commissioner and certain ranks were not compliant of their wishes and did not dance to Freedom House’s drum beat.
You see this and other letters need to show how little this administration has changed from its dictatorial attitude. But of course we note the ‘crocodile tears’ flowing quite freely. Note how the radio and Chronicle delayed on reporting this story.
Because some seek to enlighten the public, in particular, our youth, who for years have been the victims of a well oiled and funded propaganda machine, some friends are critical.
Note the rush to shut up Mark Benschop, I suspect my friend Bishop Edghill will say that as an elder, I should be promoting peace, in other words, ‘shut up’ do not write this letter.
I want peace and will do all things possible for it, but those who are in the comfort zone of the government, believe peace means, we need to stay silent even as Satan does his work.
Some persons need be reminded that to curb evil, Christ made the supreme sacrifice on Calvary.
Peace is predicated on justice and equal opportunity.
I need remind them of these words of Ruskin “Peace, Justice and the word of God must be given to the people, not Sold.“
In the meantime, I ask the President as follows:
1. When will we have an Ombudsman as required by the Constitution?
2. Are you and the leaders of State expected to set the example on matters that deal with legal and moral issues and should the Cabinet reflect what our values are for this generation?
3. When will you appoint a panel of independent legal, medical and experienced persons to examine the many murders, absurd contracts and torture reported since your accession to office?
Since we are focused on the alleged misdeeds of sections of your Disciplined Forces, when will we get to the bottom of the Lindo Creek Massacre?
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green, JP
Hammie, you should know and you are right! Guys at the bottom will only do either what they will get away with or what their superiors will sanction. The lawlessness from the PNC days under Burnham have extended to the days under the Jagdeo-led PPP regime!
Well said, Hammie. Your letter is supported by irrefutable facts. In order to better Guyana hard facts have to drive decisions not loyalty. Kaieteur News must be complimented for showing that photo. This is one instance where KN shock and awe journalism worked!..it sure got people off their laurels and thinking. Justice for all
Raj, really… come on now… do you think justice will be served. Perhaps you have lived too long in USA. In Guyana justice is fleeting, and a two tier system.
“A human tendency is to do what you believe your superiors wish you to do.”
COMMENT: This may explain why policemen were raiding private homes to search for wheat flour, split peas and other prohibited items from 1975 to 1985. This may explain why policemen stopped, searched and ransacked the cars of PPP politicians in broad daylight during the PNC regime. This may explain why parcels of ballot papers marked X for the PNC were found wrapped with rubber bands in ballot boxes in the 1968 general elections. This may explain why public servants used to “volunteer” one day of unpaid work at Hope Estate under the watchful eyes of the Great Man on Horseback. This may explain why senior public servants used to get shaky legs whenever they got memos signed in green ink during those halcyon days. Right you are, Mr Green.
True. this may also expalin the evil deeds of the PPP Yasuman71. This may also explain why you live in the US and not Guyana…go back to sleep and I hope your nightmare wich the PPP is giving you continues to haunt you.
So here we go again with trying to justify torture by bringing up the wrongs of the PNC. Torture is a crime against humanity. Dirty tricks are a part of politics. I condemn the Guyana Police Force for descending into the gutters of torture. and what is even more despicable it is torture against a child. I will take the Government of Guyana to the Hague and lodge a complaint of crimes against humanity. So Mr. Yasuman 71 add up, DEATH SQUADS, DRUG SMUGGLING, TORTURE AND CORRUPTION UNDER THE PPP AND SEE IF IT IS EQUIVALENT TO THE Abuses committed under the PNC. No way my friend. you are rationalizing.
I do agree with you Raj. SN has been very cautious with reporting and seems to be a day late behind KN with the breaking news.
I have no doubt that this is due to the trauma inflicted upon the newspaper by the PPP from previous threats and harassment.
However, SN should be commended for allowing bloggers to post their opinions. They pioneered this privilege and despite political pressure, continue to offer this added value to their appreciative readership.
As good intentioned as this letter is, it would have been so much more ‘authentic’ if it was penned by another author. The PNC in its days when Hammy was in high office had people bleeding from the scars caused by the whips of House of Isreal and others. Hammy comes across as disingenuous because of his unrepentant past.
This does not take away from the horror in question, this beast that has been allowed to roam amoungst us and devour us one by one. All in authority knew waht was taking taking place and did nothing because it was not happening to them.
By its own behavior Oppression House (aka Freedom House) is sending tacit signals as to how it expects members of the GPF to behave.
In Mr. Greens reign a letter like his was not conceiveable. The slendor moral fabric he talks about was inherited. Agree, justice must be done but to be an angel at this time is ludicrous.
Let’s focus on now, the present, what’s happening now. Recounting the past will not inspire but hinder change for the better. There is nothing about Mr. Green’s letter that is false, that is wrong. We must be thankful that there are people like this still in Guyana that can speak truth to power and hold those powers accountable for their deeds and their responsibility to the people. this in no longer about politics, it’s about the very survival of a nation.
“We need to compliment this PPP administration for having so far been able to tear apart the slender moral fabric of our society, and in essence be al1owed as the old folks say, to “get away with murder,” in some cases, literally so.” hammie you have no shame! your pnc did all that before!
true dat true dat quibian, pat calling e mattie battam black.
don’t b 2 hard on the officers; they might have been following sky instructions as they probably have done b/fore, after all torture/roughing is necessary to obtain info.
we betta use some on the joint service members who were in the vacinity of lindo creek
might get very CHILLING info