Dear Editor,
Two weeks ago, members of the Guyana Police Force brutally tortured a 14-year-old boy at Leonora Police Station where the Force’s ‘D’ Division is headquartered. They also tortured Deonarine Rafick, inflicting a serious head wound. I condemn these barbaric and evil acts of torture. They are the cruellest crimes against humanity committed by police officers. The two were tortured in connection with the murder of a retired official of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Ramenauth Bisram. Guyanese citizens are often tortured as an instrument of law enforcement whenever criminal investigations involve the pursuit of justice in the interest of the ruling PPP.
The teen’s torture was especially brutal and sadistic. Having failed to coerce him to sign a statement confessing to the murder, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) battered him with a baton about the head and ears. Then they doused his genitals with a flammable liquid and lit him afire. He sustained third degree burns in the genital area. These inhumane, evil acts deserve prosecution.
What is even more abhorrent is that the depraved policemen held the teen in prison with no access to medical treatment, his parents or an attorney for four days. He was only taken to a hospital after his torture was leaked to and reported in the press, and was condemned by the Guyana Bar Association and a group of prominent lawyers, among others.
There are indications that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) attempted to cover-up these barbaric acts. They launched an investigation into who leaked the crime to the media and how a photographer gained access to the victim. The police’s immediate reaction was repugnant to the course of justice, and speaks to the priority of the police leadership. Their attempted cover-up constitutes obstruction of justice and malfeasance in office. Those involved should be removed and prosecuted.
The revelation of the brutal torture of the 14 year-old is providential, as President Jagdeo recently boasted that his human rights record can withstand scrutiny and is better than that of any past President. Notwithstanding its refutations, the government has countenanced torture. Dozens of citizens have been tortured amidst implausible denials and cover-ups. Members of the security forces have committed extra-judicial killings; killed and robbed eight diamond miners; acted as enforcers for criminal operations – all with impunity and no investigation. Has Mr Jagdeo no sense of shame and dishonour?
Recently, Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, had the effrontery to argue in Parliament that two Guyana Defence Force ranks who were tortured by being given electric shocks, pepper-sprayed and beaten with a metal pipe in connection with missing GDF AK-47 rifles, endured treatment which amounted to “roughing-up.”
Caught within their torture chamber, Minister Rohee now claims that the government “abhors” torture. But his postulations are phony, a Rip Van Winkle-like argument of necessity proffered only because the police were caught red-handed.
The lawlessness tolerated by government officials, has manifestly created the enabling criminal milieu in which the torture of 14-year-olds and adults can occur with impunity. Governments which countenance this reckless and depraved disregard for human life – serious crimes against humanity – belong nowhere in public office, and must be held to account.
Certain police and army officers with ostensible political alliance to the ruling party have committed barbaric acts of torture. The evidence against them is compelling but they are being protected. The government fails to realize that it has a constitutional obligation to allow the course of justice to prevail against these individuals. The fundamental tenets of justice and rule of law dictate that such criminals be brought to justice. The PPP government might not allow the law to take its course today. But even if it is twenty years from now, they will be brought to justice.
Minister Rohee has called for the interdiction of the Divisional Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner Paulette Morrison, for poor supervision of officers under her command. However, making Ms Morrison the sacrificial lamb will not absolve the government from culpability. She did not commit, condone or cover up acts of torture. It is a national ignominy that on the watch of Minister Rohee and Police Commissioner Greene, crimes against humanity have proliferated. Torture has been institutionalized as a law enforcement technique. Drug dealers operate above the law in full public view and collaborate with certain government and police officials who allow their criminal enterprise to flourish, and officials who commit crimes retain the confidence of the administration.
It is obvious that such corruption will not end until the United States Justice Department or prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC)) begin to nab these individuals. Suffice it to say, that I intend to contact US Attorney General, Eric Holder, about this and other matters.
The officers who tortured the 14 year-old child as well as the other individuals must be arrested and charged. Guyana’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Shalimar Ali-Hack, must now seek indictments in these matters. It is also critical for the matter of torture in Guyana generally, to be publicized in the international community and for torture cases to be filed against the government and against the Guyana Police Force and army officers at the ICC, Inter-American Human Rights Commission and UN Committee against Torture. The time to act is now!
Yours faithfully,
Rickford Burke
President of the
Caribbean Guyana
Institute
for Democracy
Correction Mr. Burke!
Torture was institutionalized since 1964 and continued through today. I expected the President of the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy to research his material and publish facts instead of a load of biased diatribe. You may want to interview all those people tortured in Guyana since 1964 and adjust your letter to reflect the facts. I believe Ivan Sookram lives in Canada but is reachable for an interview on torture in Guyana. I can send you a list of the names of people who were tortured in Guyana since 1964 and you can contact them for the facts on torture in Guyana.
Correction TK Leonora!
Torture was institutionalised before 1964. Do your research and check the facts. List of names can be furnished for those tortured before 1964. I think the Abrams daughter who was not present when her family house in Hafdield St. was targeted and I believe now lives in Canada can be contacted for an interview on that torture. Remember her father and others were burnt up in that arson attempt.
So what is your point TK Leonora? Are you suggesting that the torture of a 14 year old child is diatribe? Perhaps Mr. Sookram should return to Guyana and have the PPP government investigate his torture.
Brian,
I can go with you on this one. I endorse your position that “Torture was institutionalized before 1964.”
Side Kick,
My point is “torture has not now become institutionalized. Torture was institutionalized in Guyana a very very long time ago and what is happening now is a simply a continuation. Mr. Burke and all Guyanese will do well to acknowledge this long running disaster in Guyanese society and must now focus on changing it. This includes changes in the government, police force, and the army. Let’s be blunt and honest about the problem and solve it.
This problem is bigger than the current president and Government of Guyana. It includes everyone in the society. Everyone has a role to play.
When PPPee apologist like TK Leonora are unable to logically defend the atrocities and broken promises of the GOG, they resort to attacking their launching personal attacks at their critics.
In essence what he is saying is; “so what if the PPP commits atrocities, so did the PNC”. This is a ridiculous defense since the PPP ran as the anti-PNC and promised to be usher in good governance with if elected.
Now when called on their failure to deliver, their pathetic excuse is so what if we suck, so did the PNC.
When PPPee apologist like TK Leonora are unable to logically defend the atrocities and broken promises of the GOG, they resort to launching personal attacks at their critics.
In essence what he is saying is; “so what if the PPP commits atrocities, so did the PNC”. This is a ridiculous defense since the PPP ran as the anti-PNC and promised to usher in good governance if elected.
When called on their failure to deliver the grand promises, their pathetic excuse is consistently, so what if we suck, so did the PNC.
The anti-PPP axe grinders continue to execute their personal agenda with little or no concern for the future of the nation. It is unfortunate they extend their personal anger and resentment of the PPP to anyone they perceive to be supportive of the PPP. Bismattie’s tendency to open mouth and insert foot is now legendary. I do not believe I said anything supportive of the PPP but instead addressed the issue of torture in its totality. Torture in any form and by anyone is unacceptable and detrimental to a nation. Torture by any regime is unacceptable and detrimental to the all the people in that society. What went on hsitorically and goes on currently are unacceptable and must stop.
The Guyanese people will continue to wander in the political and race wilderness until they can bring closure to their past and create a common future to reflect the “One people, one nation, one destiny” motto of the nation. Living together separately is unacceptable as a national model for integration. A Truth and Reconciliation commission will greatly help the Guyanese people to reconcile their past and forge a different political identity in pursuit of a new and common future. Perhaps the politicians and people of Guyana can seek assistance from the people of South Africa to create and implement such a commission.
Unfortunately, the Guyanese people, their sponsors, and foreign based axe grinders do not seem interested in reconciling the nation and instead continue down the road already travelled. Where is the future for Guyana and Guyanese?
“I do not believe I said anything supportive of the PPP…”
In your original post what was the significance of the year 1964?
Griot,
I believe 1964 was essentially the year we as a people began control of our destiny and future. We all as Guyanese can agree that our politicians squandered the opportunity to cooperatively build a nation that reflected our common destiny as a people and free of the divisive baggages handed down to us with independence. Instead, to support their greed and hunger for power, they unleashed a new set of destructive forces which to this day continue to haunt and torment our people. I believe the PNC and the PPP should be made to answer for the 45 years of destruction and mayhem that engulfed the land.
Tonight , on the cbc-tv news in Barbados , I saw a picture of the burnt area of the young boy’s body and I tell you , it is inhuman and cruel – all of the policemen involved should be charged for attempted murder . I have 1 son and if anyone ever do anything like that to him ; I will get charge for murder .
TK,
You have already elsewhere on this thread readily conceded that this nonsense started even before ‘64 and even in your original contribution you said it “continues through to today”. So I buy it.
So what do we do about it? How do we bring them to book for these crimes? Will justice be retributive or restorative to quote Ravi Dev?
Griot,
I do not possess the required education and skills to generate solutions for these complex issues. However, I think justice will be served if the issues are identified, acknowledged, apologized for, and risk mitigated to prevent reoccurrence.
Here are some things that will satisfy me as Guyanese. At a minimum, I would like to two representatives from every religion, the representatives from every political party, and two representatives from every ethnic group get together and design a truth and reconciliation commission. This body should seek input and sponsorship from South Africa, specifically Bishop Tutu and President Mandela.
At a minimum, this commission should enable the Guyanese people to reconcile their past, accept responsibilities for their failures and successes, establish an electoral, governance, and security framework for future governments of Guyana, and implement integrity and accountability measures to prevent a recurrence off the past. This would be a start and Guyanese need one badly.
TK Lenora. Why can’t we just confront the present situation in Guyana, with the aim of a better future, without looking back. Why dig up old wounds. Allow Mr. Sookram and the others to enjoy a peaceful life. Are you trying justify the present because of the past. Let it go man.
Diamond Dog,
I greatly admire Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu and their approach to using the Truth and Reconciliation vehicle for bringing accountability to the historical governmental atrocities in South Africa. They cleared the air once and for all and moved on. Guyanese need to clear the air, acknowledge their problems and the sources, clear the air, and move on to identify and implement solutions.
TK Leonora, I agree with you on that. There is also need for a truth and reconciliation commission that includes the PPP governing years from 1953-1964
Brian,
A Truth and Reconciliation commission will greatly help the Guyanese people to reconcile their past and forge a different political identity in pursuit of a new and common future. Perhaps the politicians and people of Guyana can seek assistance from the people of South Africa to create and implement such a commission. I am confident they will get help with such a request. The Guyanese people will continue to wander in the political and race wilderness until they can bring closure to their past and create a common future to reflect the “One people, one nation, one destiny” motto of the nation. Living together separately is unacceptable as national model for integration. Perhaps Mr. Burke can spearhead this effort in the interest of democracy in Guyana.
Unfortunately, the Guyanese people and their foreign sponsors do not seem interested in reconciling the nation and instead continue down the road already travelled.
TK Leonora ! You can shout ‘truth and reconciliation’ for all you wish. The fact remains that the country will still be owned by a few vultures and their soup drinkers. And they will all laugh at you, as they bask in their wealth and assets stolen form the populace as you attempt to govern an empty shell.
Thanks Georgie! I will keep your comments in mind. I am a bit optimistic about Guyana and Guyanese. Strange things happen in this world we live in. Arafat shook hands with Rabin. PNC lost power in Guyana. All things are possible. It’s only a matter of when, how, and how much.
You really believe that the vultures will be laughing at me as they bask in their wealth? (smile) With an exchange rate of $200 G to 1 USD, perhaps they may not be able to show me too much teeth. I may be able to kick a few butts and give them a couple dollars to buy Sloans to ease their pains. Just kidding!
We need to return to the rule of law before all hell breaks loose in the country.
Institutionalised or not, since when, and for how long matters not one whit. Just gross excuses and evil rationalizations. Torture is wrong and must be stopped forthwith.
Love ya Mike!
When they point back to the past it’s really to try and avoid accountability. But like you say, regardless of how far back it started the buck must stop here. Steps must be taken to make sure that it is deinstutionalized.
I agree 100% and Guyanese must address this issue head-on and NOW. The poeple must demand an end to torture now and hold all involved accountable.
Touchau, Touchau man whey u bin man…hell HAS broken loose in Guyana a long time ago. The people need change.
since 1964 torture was ingrained in the armed forces. i can remember as a teenager growing up one election time in my village, i saw soldiers beating up some innocent marchers protesting stolen ballot boxes on the essequibo coast.
Are you using this to justify and rationalize the continued use of torture by the armed forces in the year 2009?
mxbq, i said it is ingrained them since those days. like bribery, corruption, runnings, etc. hard to break it out of them.
Well, we got to make a start now of breaking out of the ingrained habit instead of saying it’s only a lil roughing up or that people more concerned with getting barrels than with torture. What you think?