-says cops have two weeks on probe
Labelling the torture of a 15-year-old boy in police custody as inhuman, President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday said that he has given the force two weeks to complete an investigation into the allegations, after which all the perpetrators will face the full consequences.
However, if the report does not satisfy him other options outside of the police will be considered. Jagdeo said.
Speaking at a press conference at his office, Jagdeo said “I will allow for the probe to be done by the Police Force, which will be made public, and to take place early. And I will want to give them… a maximum of two weeks.” If I find it wanting, then I’m prepared to look at examining, any other option outside of the police themselves.” He said that he has called for an “open investigation” and further said: “I think that we have to take the strongest possible action against all the perpetrators”. This action will not be limited to the direct participants, but all those involved will have “to bear some of the consequences”, Jagdeo added.
When asked if he will be extending the current investigations into other allegations of torture by members of the joint services, the President said that presently he did not see such an extension occurring.
Labelling the recent incident as “outrageous, horrible and inhuman”, the President said that “any right thinking, decent person” would have to condemn such an act against anyone, more particularly against a child.
Meanwhile, Jagdeo said that the matter needed to be addressed urgently since it negatively affected the image of the Police Force. Jagdeo noted that while the force has many challenges it is still prepared to act professionally. The President said that he has asked that there be enhanced training of officers as it related to human rights issues. Pointing out that currently, training is done using a manual prepared by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), he said that these efforts needed to be boosted. According to him, he has instructed some of his staff to seek foreign assistance that could add to the Force’s capability in this area.
The President noted that every time such hideous acts occur they do a great disservice to the sterling efforts of many members of the Joint Services. “They disparage and they affect the work of the many, many good policemen and soldiers, who we have out there, who day after day go out to protect our country, our borders and the society against criminals. Hundreds of them go out there every day, they are our frontline against criminals. These are the people we call upon when something happens and many of them inspite of very, very difficult situations- the remuneration is not great, sometimes the conditions of the service are not great- but they go out there and put their lives, in many cases, on the line for all of us and the recent incident in which they were targeted will show this…”he said.
Jagdeo said that the country “can’t allow the actions of a few to cause them to forget the hundreds out there who work professionally and with decency”. Consequently, the President said that actions have to be taken against those who acted in a rogue fashion inconsistent with the operating procedures and the standards of the institution.
Jagdeo also urged society, particularly those who were affected by the recent allegations, “not to lose sight of all the others who have faced so many difficulties coming out of a tough situation where criminals walked the land and targeted the police.”
He also called on the society to “allow due process to be involved in this matter”. “We can’t want due process sometimes only for criminals and then want public lynching immediately for others, there has to be an investigation”, the President said.
When asked about past statements by government officials which may be interpreted as tacit approval of excessive force being used by members of the joint services, Jagdeo responded by saying “that he did not know what sort of tacit approval could be given to acts of this nature”. Explaining his stance on the matter, Jagdeo recounted an explanation that he gave during the period the Joint Services were operating in Buxton. He said that during this time, it was understandable if the joint services entered a home in a particular manner.
According to him, when the officers went into the area they would routinely have persons shoot at them which clearly resulted in fear. He explained that in this sort of “operational context”, entering a home in a particular manner, even if it resulted in damage to property, would have been justified.
When the Coast Guard ranks killed Ramdass he immediately condemn and ridicule…his ministers never stopped condemning…now that East Indian police officers have been fingered in one of the worst crime on humanity he took more that a week to say something…
not sure Sandhurst, how you ended up classifying the burnt victim as worst crime on humanity and the death of an invidual who is no more on this earth thanks to some theifing individuals who are paid to protect you, is classified as what?…not that i am condoning the buring, it is horrific and the cops should face the full brunt of the law…
I have a question does the president have the mandate to set a time frame for the investigation by the Guyana Police Force? I get what you are saying Sand Hurst First, the president’s condemnation of teen that was tortured should have been swift.
Impartial, your response to Sandhurst was condescendingly snide.
Is there a particular reason why you feel this gentleman is not your intellectual equal?
Sandhursts’ point was well articulated and most importantly, it was factual. It is glaringly apparent that the PPP only speaks out when the perceived victims are from their voting constituency.
Denying this fact would likened you to an Ostridge burying its’ head in the sand.
may be that is why you are on the side line.
protect yuh own as much as possible
that demonic role is given to the brothers on other side
A week after the fact in fact makes this condemnation very weak! Where was the condemnation of torturing Buxtonians who were never CHARGED with a crime?
Dandy de president said de investigatio nah gon extend to dem, wah ya nah undastand bai. Them have one justice fuh you and one justice for them. Alyuh nah see de man concern but he own.
Shame on Jagdeo, took his sweet time to make a pityful stamement. He’s more interested in the how the news affecting his regime. He’s asking for people to allow due process. Did the child got due process from the police? Jagdeo you are full of hot air.
Mr president gy people knows that investigation means nothing
is friken de man get friken FOOLISE STATION:COAT UOSE! U KNO HOW MANY MO BIGGA HOUSE DEM CREAM-E-NALS KAN BUN DONG. we over here are scared and angry…we have our comfortable lives and we feek for those helpless ones; what do you expect from those who have to live in fear day-in-day-out? The Guyana government is pushing its citizens over the edge.
“Human Rights Training need to be boosted within the Armed Forces and to that end I have asked my staff to seek foreign assistance”, said Jagdeo.
SN, did you ask the president if he will now reconsider allowing the British to proceed with the reforms they offered?
The presidency should be a position of integrity and it saddens the Guyanese people to see this man make a mockery of such high office.
Probably when you go in office it will reconsider………
did he confess to the crime?
Man…… if you light a fire on my Family Jewels …I will confess to that and any other crime.
Jagdeo after condemning the torture of the teenager you should look in the mirror and condemn yourself. You are responsible for what is happening in the police force. You are the Force Commander in Chief. The firt torture did not happen last week Wednesday. It started years ago Jagdeo and you and your ministers called it a little “roughing up” said people busy receiving barrels and don’t have time with torture and the police is doing a go job riding the society of criminals. Condemn yourself first…one wonder how you can sleep at nights
The day finally catch the moon…nothing lasts forever, he said it!!!
It seem like hot air to me. I don’t see anything changing or getting better for the people. This brutality will continue on the masses. Watch as the election countdown begins!
would u call Obama and tell him the same thing for those 12 solders that were murdered in texas?
this is responce to James,no ,there no need to call President Obama about the 12 solders because he was on air within the hour of that incident i don’t know what they do in Canada but we have institutions that work here,thank you.it took jadeo one week to say something ans there no pictures there would have no responce from the goverment,so hush james
I agree with you Raj.
You are so right kenyata. It was alleged that, Major Omar Khan and Captain Sukhul of the Guyana Defence Force tortured
several persons at Camp Ayanganna, the President never called
or had an investigation regarding the allegation, these
officers are still on the job they were never punish or had
had to face the courts for anything, it seems as if these
officers are another set of untouchables in Guyana.
So it’s now he realise something wrong? What about Lindo Creek Mr president. And the other allegations of torture??
What took you so long???????????????
Just won CD$200, the president had to comment on this issue in a certain way. Like the sun rising on cue, herein lies Guyana’s problems.
Image he giving the folice porce deadlines.
Pressure, pressure from the outside community! This is why he is speaking up. This torture has a face so graphic that he cannot ignore it.
I posted the full picture of the 14 year old along with an article from Benshop’s site on CNNs iReport for the world to see twice, and both times it was taken down by CNN as being too graphic.
Guyanese folks outside of Guyana need to send pictures of all the torture in Guyana to outside resources.
Bombard CNN iReport, NBC, CBS even FOX, the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) with these pictures…eventually they will be shown and brought to light.
Jagdeo likes to come to the World Bank in Washington…put a dent in his persona. No more free pass.
Pressure, apply pressure! Turn up the heat on Jagdeo!!!!
Hahaaaa,,,what a comedian you are Robert S Alleyne,,,pressure, pressure,,,listen to yourself and then re-axamine what you wrote in the context that these things does not happen in Guyana alone,,,You can show the picture to what news you want the fact of the matter is that the Prseident has made an open statement and comdemn this inhumane act.
Raj…you are slowly getting some friends on this site because you are speaking the language they will like to hear,,,keep it up and continue to suffer with the actual realities,,, You know what they are…
Soldier how can I listen to what I wrote? Let me correct you. I can read what I wrote and I stand by what I wrote. I’m not concerned about what is happening within other countries. They are dealing their issues.
I’m concerned about Guyana, my country. Your president Jadgeo decided to make his statement only after Amnesty International condemned this atrocious act that was perpetrated by his peons, so he shares the blame. Laugh all you want ….I do not hide behind pseudonyms, I use my name.
solid wood ppp cork duck!
alleyne, you think they have free press to print every thing they want to, don’t fool your self.
, what is so bad about the burn of one person. i’m not saying it is right, in the context of human rights abuse it means nothing.
Did no one question him about the term’roughing up’use in parliament to describe how the gpf forcefully extract information from suspects?
Did no one question him about the oppositions claims about torture by the force and army?
Did no one ask him about the individuals who were tortured prior to this incident would justice be serve?
What about the commission of inquiry that reveal names and nothing was done cause it was simply’roughing up’what about that Mr
President?
Why are we making this investigation available to the public and not others?
It is quite obvious Mr Jagdeo your government only represent one section of the Guyanese people.Have you given thought to the the persons who were tortured and were told they were ‘roughed up’.Have you imagine what they must be thinking? I guess that really don’t matter.
Incompetency…clear and concise…Jag does not have a clue or he doeas not care…
it was the same under the PNC rule, you have a CARD your bread was well butter.
Am I hearing right.Jagdeo talking about human rights. Is’s this the same man who tell the joint services he prefers to answer to the human rights organisation, you go and do your work. Can you imagine the values you throw away, today you want to uphold. What a joke.