The Private Sector Commis-sion (PSC) yesterday issued a call for President Bharrat Jagdeo to set up an independent panel to investigate what has led to reported incidents of torture committed by police, including the recent brutalisation of a teen boy while in custody.
Gerry Gouveia
Chairman Gerry Gouveia yesterday contended that the public would have little confidence in the capacity of the police force to conduct a full and impartial investigation of the allegations and he said President Jagdeo should handpick the members of the independent panel. Gouveia added that he felt outside help was not necessary, since he had the confidence that the president would make good choices. “We have not gotten to the point that we have no confidence in the president’s judgement,” he said, insisting, “We believe we possess the capacity right here to do this.”
The police force is currently investigating what it has dubbed “the alleged use of excessive force” on three prisoners, including a 15-year-old whose genitals were burnt while in custody at the Leonora Police Station.
Gouveia, reading a prepared statement, said the PSC was appalled at the deliberate and barbaric act and observed that that these and other acts by the security forces which remain unsatisfactorily investigated are a reflection of the “lawlessness which is progressively overtaking our society.” Admitting to its silence on previous allegations, Gouveia said the PSC has been committed to working with the security forces and has also been in support of efforts and so trusted the institutions. “We trusted the leadership in the security force that they would take action to stop the lawlessness of their ranks,” he said.
The PSC is to officially submit its concerns in writing to the president. It has also sought an urgent meeting with Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee to discuss the issue and plans to meet with the teen and his parents as well. Gouveia warned that acts of torture could contribute to tarnishing the country’s image and hampering the investment climate. Gouveia stated that with all the good work done to attract tourists such incidents could hurt the country’s image and ultimately affect business.
According to Gouveia, such incidents, which are now widely reported internationally, have brought shame and immeasurable harm to the nation and are now rapidly coming to define the country, the government and all Guyanese for failing to effectively confront them. Further, he said the PSC acknowledges the reaction by Rohee and Police Commissioner Henry Greene but wishes to remind both officials that the recent case was not an isolated one and that the public is justified in fast coming to the conclusion that these acts are being condoned by elements in the hierarchy of the security forces.
He said that the PSC believes that in this specific case there was a deliberate and calculated attempt by the officers in charge at the Leonora Police Station and probably all the senior ranks in command of those officers to conceal the act.
Gouveia said the body endorses the public statement of condemnation by the legal fraternity, religious organisations and all other members of civil society and their calls for resolute action on the part of the government to investigate this and other incidents for the use of torture by the security forces when conducting their investigations.
Meanwhile, the media’s handling of the matter came in for commendation and while Gouveia said he was not in support of aggressive reporting with graphic pictures, he noted that the image of the bodily injuries carried on the front page of the Kaieteur News was more than justified.
Meanwhile, when questioned on its take on the decision by the UK to squash its security sector reform project with the government, Gouveia stated that had a stakeholder’s forum existed in this regard, the PSC would have added its voice and made its inputs, especially when the troubled areas came along.
The UK has said that the last proposal from the government suggested a focus on police modernisation, rather than on holistic security sector reform, which led to the decision to withdraw its offer of assistance. However, Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon has criticised the UK’s proposal, saying it deviated from the basic architecture of management agreed to by both countries last December. He said the management proposed by the UK is inconsistent with other UK Department for International Development (DfID) projects.
Hey Gerry, take a hike! Why don’t you urge an independent Roger Khan probe? He had many people tortured and some even died, yet you are silent? Gimme a break!!!
Where do you think these two police officers get their idea from to torture this lad? Right there in the police force! But only when it is expedient for you to speak up you are making some noise. We don’t want to read or hear your hypocrisy!
I wonder who is the “we” he is referring to? Anyone care to comment? He speaks as if we are in support of the President’s judgment. What is interesting is the Jerry Gouveia was once a member of the Guyana Defense Force yet he sees nothing wrong in what they are doing now. He has confidence in the President’s Judgment not the everyone so he should speak for himself and those who still believe in his judgment and the choices he makes that is further humiliating this nation. The President should hand pick the the members of the independent panel? That’s a given. Isn’t that what they always do?
Gouveia now piping up. WHAT A HYPOCRITE.
Go Gerry Gouveia ! You afford me great laughter. But , remember, you are an ambassador , representing a foreign country and, therefore, should not meddle in the internal affairs of that country to which you are accredited. I suppose you also have immunity from prosecution by any law enforcement agency. Way to go Mr. Ambassador. Pink champagne on ice. ! Ha !
‘President Jagdeo should handpick the members of the independent panel…outside help was not necessary, since he had the confidence that the president would make good choices. “We have not gotten to the point that we have no confidence in the president’s judgement,”’
Bernie Kerik, Roger Khan
Quick question, Gerry: When did you first notice that detainees were being tortured?
Another quick question, Gerry: Why did your condemnation have to wait on the Govt’s lead-out?
Get Colonel Saunders to be Minister in Charge of the welfare of chickens. Jagdeo will handpick the members of the commission. Too early to be sipping intoxicating spirits.
Where were you guys all along? Demand a panel to investigate ALL torture. If you don’t Guyanese will rightfully conclude that justice is only for some. It is not the teenager and Rafick alone who were tortures, there are many others. Come on Gerry, you were given a chance under a different gov’t to rise and become what you are today, give others a chance too for justice. Justice for ALL, nothing less will do!
i agree with you, take care of your own business, which country allow others to investigate internal matters, “NONE”.
WE CAN SOLVE OUR OWN PROBLEMS.
And why they aint getting it solved? What taking so long to solve da problem? Roger Khan case is easily solved but alot of foot dragging in high places going on.
Really Freespeech. Then why did they not take care of Roger Khan and his Phantom Crew.
Well done Mr Gouveia.Alleged killing,torturing,child abuses,and”Roughing Up”,of the citizens of Guyana,and visitors to Guyana,by some members of the Police,and G.D.F.is common knowledge overseas.Deaths in Police custody,and the Prisons,are also of deep concern,by friends,family,and law abiding citizens.Your P.S.C.has taken a step,in the right direction.Guyana is crying out for peace,equality,and Justice.
HE should have done this from day 1. All of them are part of the puzzle that cause Guyana to be in a mess right now.
Its so surprising to see the private sector jumping to have have an independent inquiry on the torture but not on the Roger Khan issue they seem to have their voices conveniently what a mockery to the Guyanese people ….they need to support the opposition in having an independent inquiry and let the scope include concerns for the Bauxton resistance, Government officials …….let the chips fall where they may only Guyana will benefit or else our children will suffer especially the poor ones.
Even the private Sector is politically controlled what a shame …how can Guyana move forward? tell me!
I totally agree on what you are saying the rivate sector has hands in the mess in Guyana.
“We have not gotten to the point that we have no confidence in the president’s judgement,” he said…” ha ha (but we will soon)
The bigger issue is that the PSC is simply another interest group that of businessmen who have no real interest in human rights or justice but only in the stability of the economy and law and order. As such they have helped to prop up this quasi Fascist regime. They have no moral authority and no credibility. Business has been good under the Jagdeo administration because there have been few new entrants into the sectors. Little competition mean fat profits.
Spot on Bush T & PSC.
The days when bad news can be covered up indefinitely ended with the internet, digital photography and mobile phones. The KN front page was flashed around the world in seconds, along with other reports of both local people and visitors being abused by those with power and in authority.
Hundreds, and maybe more, who would love to visit the beautiful land of Guyana and meet Guyanese people on their home ground are simply scared off by daily reports of violence and abuse reported in the thankfully free press of Guyana.
It is absolutely certain that there are people from overseas who would like to invest in Guyana but are deterred from doing so because they believe their investment, and their personal security, would be at risk.
The human rights of individuals is not just a moral isssue — it is an economic one as well.
Spot on Patrick, well said. There is no security for tourist or even Guyanese visitors, travel there at your own risk.
Too late Gouveia, you should ‘ve spoken out when these issues were first aired, you kept quiet but now the international community knows and tourist and other investors are weary of the climate in guyana you are now speaking out, how sad and ironic.