Opposition parties yesterday flayed President Bharrat Jagdeo’s announcement that he has ordered the police to conduct an investigation into the recent torture of a 15-year-old murder suspect, saying it lacked credibility and that an independent and detailed probe was needed.
In solidarity: Participants at a vigil for the 15-year-old boy tortured by police while in their custody last week, hold a banner outside the Georgetown Public Hospital yesterday.
Opposition Leader Robert Corbin yesterday slammed the President’s statement and said it was an attempt to appease the various sections of society who have express-ed outrage at the entire episode. Speaking at the PNCR’s weekly press conference, he said “we’re not impressed by President Jagdeo’s statement to the media,” while adding that such a reaction has become the norm whenever the government is in any crisis.
On Thursday, President Jagdeo announced 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. He said that if the report does not satisfy him other options outside of the police will be considered. 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. He also ruled out extending the current investigation into other allegations of torture by members of the joint services.
Bharrat Jagdeo
Robert Corbin
Corbin recounted last year when there was a public outcry about the torture of three ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) by their own ranks, a Board of Inquiry was set up but the results were never released. Corbin said that in this context, the words of President Jagdeo “are like hot air” attempting to ease public concerns. He said that Guyanese should not be fooled by this ploy.
He added that for the inquiry to be credible, it needed to be conducted by a team of persons who had the confidence of the members of the public. He also accused the government of condoning torture and said if this were not the case it would have ordered investigations into other torture allegations. He said that this was clearly “a piecemeal approach by the government” that shows that only when there is intense scrutiny the administration feels compelled to respond.
Khemraj Ramjattan
Corbin said that his party will continue to keep the issue of torture alive. When asked if the party will be bringing the matter of torture before the National Assembly again, Corbin responded in the negative and explained that given the promised investigation by the President, the Speaker may not allow such a motion. The Opposition Leader explained that if there had been a sitting of the House on Thursday he would have attempted to do this. He, however, opined that the moves by the government were all a way of detracting from the public outrage over the torture.
Meanwhile Chairman of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan said that the police have lost all credibility where investigating themselves is concerned and suggested that the best way to examine the torture allegations was for Guyana to get help from one of its sister Caricom states. He said that recent statements made by the Commissioner of Police Henry Greene on the matter shows that he is in a compromised position.
Ramjattan, who is lawyer for the boy at the centre of the case, also queried how the President could set a two-week deadline for such a massive investigation. He said that the President was attempting to secure political mileage by giving this time frame and said that if the police were to conduct the investigation, the police operational personnel would be the best persons to determine the timeline for the probe. “Two weeks is too short,” the AFC Chairman said. Ramjattan said that from the responses of the Commissioner his client would have to play an integral part in identifying the torturers and it is clear that he will have to be hospitalised for a lengthy period of time. According to him, this would prevent his client from attending any identification parade. He said that at the end of two weeks there “will be a half-baked report” which can easily be predicted.
GAP/ROAR MP Everall Franklin, when contacted, said that he “is glad that the President realises that something of this magnitude is worthy of an investigation.” He, however, suggested that this may be a case that the President may be “playing to the gallery” since the government has been very “inconsistent” when dealing with such issues. He said that other investigations needed to be done from 2002 onwards when there was widespread mayhem in the country.
- Everall Franklin
President of the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) Teni Housty yesterday welcomed the announcement by the Head of State but opined that this was only dealing with the surface of a serious issue. He said the main question is what will be done after the investigations have been completed “since Guyanese are weary of commissions without action.” He said that the action would be an end to this particular phenomenon of torture.
Quizzed about the police being tasked with conducting this investigation, Housty said that the police force has a responsibility to conduct this probe but emphasised that the process needed to be transparent. He, however, opined that the members of the investigative team as well as the process involved, needed to be known to help establish the credibility of the probe.
Additionally, Housty said that there needed to be a wider investigation to deal with past allegations of torture.
Social activist Karen De Souza of Red Thread said that she “was not impressed” by the President’s announcement, explaining “we have no confidence in the police.” She said given the recent and past history of the police, she wouldn’t “want to give them two days to investigate anything much less two weeks.” She said that an independent investigation is needed.
Responding to the President’s statement that he is willing to consider other options if he found the police’s report to be wanting,” De Souza said that the President “is setting himself up as the sole arbitrator of what is acceptable and what is not.”
She said she expected the report by the police to produce scapegoats, which she said would be junior officers and maybe the Divisional Commander, since she has been named by those in political office.
De Souza said that she supported the President’s call for all culpable in the matter to face the consequences. She added that Red Thread is also condemning the recent attempts at arson of several public buildings as well as the other attacks by criminals. She said that Red Thread expects the police to bring those culpable for these acts before the courts “untortured.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Capt. Gerry Gouveia said that he was happy that an investigation is being conducted into the allegations. He said that while the PSC would have preferred an independent investigation, the members are willing to trust the judgment of the President. According to Gouveia, it was best to wait and see what will come out of the investigations especially since the President has promised to release the findings.
From what is being circulated in and around Georgetown…it is believed that because the young man was burnt so bad it will be impossible for him to populate the land…so to speak. This is outrageous and I know that many of you here would not be FURIOUS had this happened to your only son….some of you here wouldn’t give a dam because at the end of the day you support the government in whatever they do!!!
Sandman! Was their an investigation into the death of Fine man sister? Was their and investigation into Waddle’s death?
Sandman you on the ground…..I await information now you can understand why Greene was given an addition to his stay a Top Cop.
If Guyanese mean that they must continue buying from stores that support this regime….we cannot afford to send remittance anymore to support their comfort.
President Jagedo is only talking because the graphic image of the kid is all over the world now and he has to face it when he travel again. This was done by the PPP trying micromanage and it was done by their own, to their own.
Its time Guyanese stand up for what is right.
These opposition misfits apparently read my blog and are now commenting.
sandhurst, i really don’t know you , but you sounds like you are really mad with the government .
The [OAS] Organization of American State’s silence on the recent TORTURE attrocities, disapearances and Extra Judicial Killings of over 400 men of African ancesrty in Guyana is deafening.
Amnesty International has recently condemmed Guyana’s attrocities and yet YOU, an Organization closer to our hemesphere is silent on the issue. Your silence gives the Government of Guyana tacit approval. SHAME on you.
Some Human rights advocates on the ground say that your silence is based on Mr. Ramdin’s cozy relationship with President Jagdeo of Guyana. While others say Guyana is being ignored because of it’s English speaking heritage.
Demounce the Guyana Government’s TORTURE, Killings, inhumane and undemocratic actions. NOW!
The CARICOM Heads-of-state are also very silent on this embarrassment , even-though , the headquarters is in Guyana !!!
President Jagdeo how does this compare with the police in Barbados searching places , after midnight , where illegal immigrants are hiding from the immigration officers ???
I would like to opine that Guyana should be suspended from CARICOM .
CARICOM leaders over the years must take the blame for the continuing atrocities committed against the defenceless in Guyana. They have stuck to the useless mantra of non-interference while turning a blind eye on the rampant corruption and gross ineptitude being displayed by the PPP administration. It is time that they speak out loudly as well.
The PSC position on this matter shocks me. How can the Police investigate themselves. This is madness. Why not get a retired judge to lead this investigation.
You are in England, Sase; so learn some English stuff.
ENGLISH POLICE ALWAYS INVESTIGATE THEMSELVES.
Right on Sase Singh. How can the police be objective when they themselve are the offending party. The retired judge should have lawers on his team and they must be given the authority of summoning witnesses and suspects to public hearings. Then and only then will I accept any findings coming out of these “investigations.”
bob there is no way you would be comparing the professionalism of the Bobbies to the policemen in GY would you?
You’re on the money, Sase. The police should not investigate itself–period! The entire investigation and its outcome will be compromised as are ALL president-ordered investigations under this Jagdeo administration.
Nation, I note Karen De Souza’s comment about Jagdeo setting himself up as the final arbitar, deciding weather the investigation after 2 weeks is adequate or not. I would underline that comment for everyone. It is the most important point worthy of note in the entire article as it should direct us to a process that starts out being compromised and flawed and therefore invalid in any system of govt that claims to be a democracy.
Guyana has many retired jurists who can oversee this exercise with the full trust of the people. If Jagdeo keeps acting like a stakeholder in this entire process, he should not be surprised if Guyanese think that he’s got something to hide.
Besides, dictators do this all the time in installing themselves as the final arbitar: they set themselves up as the sole Supreme Court Justice, which is exactly what Jagdeo is attempting to do here. It is unconstitutional!
One can’t help but wonder, in taking this risk and at such an undemocratic time in Guyana’s history, why with allegations swirling around Roger Khan’s relationship with his administration, alleged child-solicitation from the Office of the President itself, the continued harrassment of Benschop–free speech still under vicious attack….WHY????!!!! What bone does Jagdeo have in this dog-hunt.
Let’s keep our eyes wide open and alert. If it walks like a duck, it quacks like a duck, it usually IS a duck…
Moderator, three pictures of Robert Corbin are not the same. I know it is a genuine mistake. Correct it soon!
Dandy Andy,good job informing the moderator,because this thing made me laugh alot this morning.
You are so right this time about the pictures Mr Andy, maybe
the moderator had too much BANKS BEER last night.
The call for the police to lead an inquiry into an alleged abuse committed by the same police is tantamount to Colonel Saunders leading an inquiry into the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle and its positive impact on the lives of chickens. not allow the abusers to investigate themselves.
Mr. President was is so special about this case of torture that separates it from previous acts brutality during your regime?
“Responding to the President’s statement that he is willing to consider other options if he found the police’s report to be wanting,”
The statement above is laughable and contemptible. This man thinks he’s the messiah and all wisdom and decisions reside within him. That may be the belief of his supporters at home and abroad but it’s not the position of people capable of thinking. A truly independent probe into all torture is required. I would also prefer if local N.G.Os lead this fight instead of political parties which can turn it into a partisan issue. The P.P.P. and its rabid supporters would welcome this tragedy becoming a partisan issue.
How disgusting, that the sadistic, beastial and unlawful torching and torture of this young man’s body (penis), by the police, is being rationalised as some sort of legitimate ‘pressure’, by apologists and propagandists of the PPP administration.
Ha! Ha! I enjoyed seeing the three faces of PNC man Robert Corben. One even shows him as an Indian tramp-like figure.
Mr Corben appears to have a fantastic expertise in disguises!
Sadly the rest of the story is of a much lower quality and missing essential points:
1 The youth suspected in the murder case was pressured because the officers felt he was withholding information and perverting the course of justice.
We now know the officers were right because the teenager’s information provided avenues to lay charges on the alleged murderer.
2 Yes indeed! The ranks did go beyond the limits of acceptable behaviour however their actions provided valuable results.
Failing to acknowledge this is a bit like saying nobody should go scuba diving because the Germans invented that technology in the gas chambers practising on Jews.
Some would even say that the previously unblemished records of those officers must indicate diligence.
3 President Jagdeo has ordered investigations into the recent torture of the 15-year-old murder suspect and although Mr Corbens are UNIMPRESSED with this, THEY WILL HAVE TO AWAIT THE DUE PROCESS which as lawyermen THEY know full well even though they may pretend otherwise.
4 Even if later-on the teenager is convicted of being actively involved in the murder, there is scope for him to sue for compensation. This is more than would be available to him in many countries of the world.
Where the Corbens become a laughing stock is that they CANNOT SPIN THEIR NORMAL RACE ANGLE ON THIS MATTER BECAUSE HERE WE HAVE INDIAN POLICE APPARENTLY TORTURING AN INDIAN SUSPECTED CRIMINAL!
Satish you are not worthy of engaging in civilized discourse.
SATISH, YOU LOOK AT THE TORTURE OF A BOY AS SOMETHING SMALL AS LONG AS IT ACHIEVES ITS GOAL(finding the murderer)HOW DO YOU KNOW THJAT THE BOY GAVE THEM VALUABLE INFORMATION? HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THE ACTUAL MURDERER WHO WAS PICKED ALSO DID NOT CONFESS, BECAUSE HE TOO WAS TORTURED.YOU SEEM TO SAY THAT TORTURE IS OK, AND THAT ANYONE CAN SUE LATER.WHY DONT YOU GO BACK HOME TO GUYANA, EVERYTHING SEEMS RIGHT THERE TO YOU, SHAME ON YOU.
Satish the youth is of mixed ethnicity, of black and native guyanese[amerindian] fyi, and it’s people like you who condone torture.
Bob you are losing it man, losing it. You find this situation funny?
valuable results? really? Bob are you ok or did you hit your head this morning?
Satish, you got to be one sick individual to think that lighting someone afire, is a civilized way of geting credible information from them.
Fanatical endorsement of a corrupted government, whiles living in another country. You people never fail to surprise me.
If they chase him out of England he/she would haha diferent….they don’t know and understand the right a child have and how this story reflects the thinking of the Guyana Government.
If you Satish do understand you would blog with a different tone……everyone in America is touched by this story. I don’t know about the rest of the ABC countries but I can tell you all the Secretaty of State is now well informed and people please please engage you Congressinol rep. They aprove money and aid. NGO and other organization make the call to International dona agencies and inform them
Seems as when you are not getting everybody to agree with your narrow objectives Samaroo, it is a problem…Satesh is bang on target, some of you are alergic to the truth…Everyone of the Bloggers on this site has already condemn this burning of the kid,,,you you people are on recurrent,,, waste of time…
Satish, all I have to say is that I really thought you were far more intelligent that this. I always admired your views but this has taken you way below the depth of disappointment, which is very sad.
Satish your logic on this issue is incomprhensible!
1.”We now know the officers were right because the teenager’s information provided avenues to lay charges on the alleged murderer.” torture is barbaric, inhuman approved only by individuals with a sadistic minds.I hope the justice system throws out the evidence so gathered.
2. “…they CANNOT SPIN THEIR NORMAL RACE ANGLE ON THIS MATTER BECAUSE HERE WE HAVE INDIAN POLICE APPARENTLY TORTURING AN INDIAN SUSPECTED CRIMINAL!”
Torture is torture it is never OK for Indians to torture Indians and bad if Indians torture Blacks or the other way around! Such logic has revealed the thinking that has hampered the developoment of my country and its people, particularly over the last 12 years or so.It is indeed sad that we still have amongst us such warped reasoning.
you missed the point satish, or thats all you see race, the main fact is a young person was tortured by the same people who’s motto is to protect and serve, a guyanese youth regardless of race,the police is totally wrong in every regard, you people must stop this nonsence.
Make no mistake, John; Guyanese society is playing with fire, in more sense than ONE. If lawless behaviour is allowed, then we are on the slippery slope to chaos.
Guyana deserves better than than.
Even the USA condones torture although NICE PEOPLE DON’T TALK ‘BOUT THAT.
Just in case you missed it, I reiterate the following two points:
2 I do agree that the ranks went beyond the limits.. and will most likely will lose their livelihood and maybe face prison sentences.
4 Even if later the teenage is found guilty, he should be able to sue the forces for compensation.
Satish you should be ashamed of yourself but then again you aparently have none.all these years you have been in your host country and you telling me you have not learned anything. people who would do well don’t usually get the opportunity and you wasting yours buy writing crap on the bloggersphere. i am wonder when you wrote this junk were you suffering from a hang over, do you have any children, do you have neices and nephews ? how can you be so heartless ? in life it is the good people that bad things always happen too.
The TORTURE of this minor MUST be condemned by ALL and sundry .
Satish your view I was expecting the president to say it but I can see you doing it perfectly well for him.
Especially the part, you all keep out of this, this is a matter for us, the child, the police and the victim are all us. Therefore we will take care of it, all outsiders keep out.
We are not surprised.
Look who is talkking about (THE TRUTH) SOLDIER GIVE me a major-break
Lol! SN put three photos of different people with the same name of Robert Corbin! I think Corbin is the Jedi Master and he’s starting to manifest in different forms. Lol!
SN I know that Corbin like every other changes his mind..did not know he also changes faces…..Mr. Ramjattan get rid of the beard and leave the JACKSON(SIDE-BURNS) TANTE LIKE SEE SH BAIS DEM COOOOOL! nex ting me kno yu lookin like A LUNCH-BAX
While I do support this kind of action, I am dismayed that the opposition parties only get this proactive after incidents happen.
The AFC and PNC sleep through other maladies such as when I spoke to one of those parties’ executive to investigate the callous authoritarianism of the Police Commander in Region 2 and was told that I should not burst my spleen at the Commander.
They are not as proactive as Forbes or Cheddi or even Hoyte were, so their political inroads will be fewer.
lol, that’s a good one sage, don’t burst your spleen.
I myself have no confidence in any investigation which the police is investigating themselves, and independent investigation is needed or else we’ll get the same o same o and scapegoats for persecution, and i support the joint oppositions in the call for properly investigation.