– measures to halt ‘abuse in custody’
With the alleged torture of a teen boy in police custody fuelling widespread suspicion about the security forces, PPP executive Ralph Ramkarran is recommending a thorough investigation along with wide consultations on measures that could be adopted to ensure the abuse of citizens in custody does not recur.
Ralph Ramkarran
Saying recent allegations of torture are bringing discredit to the security forces, Ramkarran is of the view that institutional mechanisms must be devised and implemented to strengthen or reorganise the security forces towards avoiding such horror. “Because [the security forces] may have been led by inaction or otherwise to believe that they have free reign, they now believe they can visit inhuman and degrading treatment on children, if the allegations are true,” the Speaker of the National Assembly and Senior Counsel wrote in an opinion piece published in the Guyana Chronicle newspaper yesterday. He added. “This is wholly unacceptable and must be condemned without hesitation or reservation.”
The absence of reports of the investigations into the allegations has resulted in widespread suspicion that the security forces are engaged in both the abuse of citizens and more recently, children, Ramkarran noted. “This is not good for Guyana because it discredits our country and people, painting all Guyanese as barbarians,” he observed.
He blamed “inactivity at higher levels” for creating “the belief that such abuse is tolerated” and he insisted that the notion needs to be dispelled immediately along with the torture of persons in custody. Further, he noted that PPP members and supporters had been early political victims of such treatment and along with loyal citizens party leaders have devoted many years to fighting against the torture of persons in custody. “Too many citizens have suffered from this type of atrocity for it to be allowed to continue for one day more,” he said, adding, “The recent photographs in the newspapers cannot be lying.”
Further, Ramkarran noted that reports of torture supported by photographic evidence are surfacing more regularly, which he said suggests that mechanisms are not in place to ensure that abuse does not occur and that such acts cannot be hidden from public view. He added that public condemnation and revulsion would inevitably demand transparent systems be put in place as preventative measures. “Why wait on public pressure?” he questioned, while pointing out that delay would result in the continuation of abuse.
Ramkarran also noted “an absurd view” held by some in law enforcement that extracting a confession by any means of duress is an acceptable way to solve a crime. According to him, the police have believed for decades that the first step in the investigation of a crime is to round up the suspects on the basis of information and not investigation. With no evidence, he related, the next stage is to obtain a confession. He said the investigative capacity of the police force began to deteriorate since the 1970s, resulting in a reversal of the investigative process. “The process began from the arrest of suspects based on the accumulation of minimal evidence and then the process degenerates,” he noted, adding “this culture has clearly proven to be deeply entrenched despite more resources, many reforms, greater openness, the work of the GHRA and a vigilant press. And it is getting worse!”
He was firm that coercive methods never work, since any hint of unlawful conduct by police in taking confession statements usually leads the court to disallow such evidence. He recalled the recent debate in the US on the torture of detainees, where it was shown that such techniques do not work because the information it elicits is unreliable. Additionally, it was shown that questioning without the use of or threat of force is more likely to yield accurate information. As a result, he argued that the use of torture quite apart from being “horribly and criminally wrong” is also “useless and counter-productive” in the solving crime, apart from proof in court.
Meanwhile, he said the establishment of the Police Complaints Authority and the internal Office of Professional Responsibility while being a step in the right direction, has not deterred security officials in violating the rights of citizens.
Ramkarran also recalled the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) from the late 70s to the restoration of democracy in 1992 in the area of the protection of citizens’ rights. He noted that the GBA was a leading champion of free and fair elections, a sterling defender of fundamental and constitutional rights of the citizen and a vigorous campaigner against what was dubbed “police brutally” at the time. However, he added that post-1992 it took its eye off the ball, with focus shifting to other issues such as constitutional reform. “I am not saying that the Bar Association became dormant,” he noted, “It still vigorously pursued its agenda. But as its old leadership fell away, the old issues began to fade and its agenda became filled with new ones.”
Stabroek News…..i wonder if i blog as to why the teen was tortured if you would publish it…
sandhurst you can go to the guyana observer and type it i would like to hear what you have to say, but if you do it in sn it wouldn’t be published.
To the P.P.P. apologists who continue to shroud their disapproval of torture with mangled excuses this is an extract from Ralph Ramkarran’s letter.
“He added. “This is wholly unacceptable and must be condemned without hesitation or reservation.”
One of your masters has spoken and given you permission to stop the hand-wringing. Get off the pot and be clear in your denunciations.
“Too many citizens have suffered from this type of atrocity for it to be allowed to continue for one day more,” he said, adding, “The recent photographs in the newspapers cannot be lying.”
“This is not good for Guyana because it discredits our country and people, painting all Guyanese as barbarians”.
He blamed “inactivity at higher levels” for creating “the belief that such abuse is tolerated” and he insisted that the notion needs to be dispelled immediately along with the torture of persons in custody.
Extracts from report above. Where was this man when the atrocities were administered to those considered supporters of the opposition. Deafening silence,you hypocrites.
SHF, one way to find out the answer to your question…
AGREE with Ramkarran 100 % the Bar Association took their eyes off the ball. The result is a lawless society and a ruthless gov’t. GBA shame on you, go back to basics! Justice and human rights for all!
DISAGREE with Ramkarran on excuse of torture. If he knows the culture of torture existed since the 1970s the PPP in power for 17 years and counting and should have corrected it! The policemen who tortured the teenager was employed under the PPP. The army military police who tortured the army officers were employed under the PPP. Stand up and be counted! If Jagdeo, Greene and Rohee messing up have the testicular fortitude to tell him so!
TRUTH-By the way there was a letter in KN about torture during the PPP in the 1960s on a man named Baston whose genitals was also attacked! Ramkarran , Justice is blind and you need to write and condemn with that blindness in mind.
Borafoot!Did any official in the previous government condemned human rights violations commited by the police during their suppression of the then opposition?Mr.Ramkarran is making steps towards eliminating human rights abuses in Guyana,an unprecedented move that was never done by any political figure in Guyanese politics.Just give the man a break.And if i say why the police force is corrupted SN would not publish it.
This is a carefully crafted statement from Mr Ramkarran. It must be read by all since it has highlighted many issues. One I know for sure, the PPP will never allow children to run Guyana ever again.
thats right sase, “cant put a boy to do a mans job” how did jagdeo get to be president?
that’s the best put together statement by far from the ruling party.
it does not stray from the point and is very factual. Guyanese need sensible people with sound judgment to lead Guyana, please.
Hope this man is the next Presidential candidate of that failing PARTY, if elected he can form a National Front Government. I think he CAN!!!!!!
Where is Ramkarran’s voice to call on a thorough and independent investigation of the Roger Khan involvement with the government and what role did David Clarke have in undermining the state?
Where is Ramkarran’s voice on this?
Where is Ramkarran’s voice on calling on JAgdoe and the PPP to abandon Burnham’s constitution which is causing the nation to get constipation.
Was this not the same Ralph Ramkarran who is speaker of the House who denied the Opposition Leader Robert Corbin’s motion to debate torture not so long ago? It’s interesting that Stabroeknews list him as a PPP Executive; i am not doubting the fact that he is not but it should be noted that he is also Speaker of the House. So one has to ask what is the difference between torture then and now?
He blamed “inactivity at higher levels” for creating “the belief that such abuse is tolerated” This policy of inhumane treatment of Guyanese has accured before and continued after 1992! “inactivity at higher levels”. The President, Attorney general, Police Commish- These are the higher level officials who have embraced this inhumane policy, passively supported and encouraged the security forces in these sick and degrading tactics.
The biggest criminals in this case are WE, THE PEOPLE who support blindly the left hand or the right without getting that there is a ‘body’ in between that needs to be kept alive.
MY biggest peeve? that it took Ramkarran et al nearly 30 years (1970s to present) to see that something is wrong.
So now that we are here, how many more years and despotic, irresponsible government will it take to have a ‘livable’ Guyana again? And what will it take to Guyana to have ANY KIND of CREDIBLE investigation.
Johan – I agree with you wholeheartedly,”The biggest criminals in this case are WE, THE PEOPLE who support blindly the left hand or the right without getting that there is a ‘body’ in between that needs to be kept alive.”
Well said never too late hope an independent inquiry be pushed from your level.
yeah, yeah, yeah, …so what’s new?
Presi wait a whole week before he can condemn this torture thing…
Can’t these people see that the country is badly in need of Police Reform not just Police modernization?
They refuse the offer by the UK like spinach being served at them at a dinner table
…under the pretext that our sovereignty was being compromised, what injustice to the GUYANESE PEOPLE!
Anyway, Jagdeo knows best! (right!)
Zaphur. This is the same Speaker of the National Assembly
that refused to entertain the PNC in the National Assembly when they brought up the torture incident about the Guyana Defence Force. The same Mr Ralph Ramkarran and others thinking about punishing MP Debbie Backer because she spoke about army torturing people if they should be deployed overseas.
The pressure on Jagdeo is so great, he either caves or he becomes increasingly hostile. This is a make or break moment for him as the pressure mounts for an independent enquiry. He’d be better off resinging because LCDS is DOA and his government is in shambles. He has no credibility.
Recent allegations of torture are bringing discredit to the security forces”, says Ramkarran in an obvious attempt to distance the PPP from any TORTURE.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to remind you Sir, since the Guyana armed forces serve at the PPP’s pleasure, it is YOU, the PPP that is being discredited.
And another thing, Mr. Speaker, if I may while I have the floor… It offends the Guyanese people that you seem more concerned about “testing the waters” for a possible 2011 presidential candidacy than the well being of the TORTURED boy.
Never once in your self centered letter did you express concern for the child’s medical or psychological condition- it is very telling.
Enlighten me please. Is this the same Ralph Ramkarran, who as speaker of the house, disallowed a motion to address the issue of torture by the armed forces?
Why the sudden “outrage”? Could it be that the former speaker aims to gain political mileage?
Open your eyes my people! The situation in our country is too grave for us to take flowery words from any politician at face value.
The duck appears calm on the surface of the pond but beneath the surface, he is paddling furiously. Look under the water!
Accept people it is the only Gov’t you’ve got. There can be no other.
sigmond, A section of the Guyanese society is not sheep, they can think individually and not as part of a flock. They don’t have to,” accept corruption, incompetence, arrogance, lawlessness, “,- just to name a few that is associated with this govt day in and day out.
Sigmond, I beg to disagree my friend because these nasty images appearing on an almost daily basis in the headline front pages of the Kaieteur News are enough to move even the most aloof Guyanese or staunch PPP party loyalist to agree that “Enough is Enough”.
If I was the AFC, I would hang these nasty images around the neck of any PPP candidate seeking national office. The torture of the 15year old, the Lusignan and Bartica massacres, the Lindo Creek murders, the Regent street fires, the Ramdass murders are only but a few of these dastardly images associated with the PPP governance.
I would put together a video montage of photos from the above mentioned incidents with bold graphics reading one liners like “Enough with the hurt already”.. “Look wha dem tell de police fuh do”.. “Burnham done dead and gone already”.. “Burnham na do this”.. “Dem big ones too thief”.. “Dem ah blame everybody else”.. “Look how dem mash up de country”.. “All dem wan fuh do is live in big house”.. “Dem never gan let de small man be a real man”.. ” Dem police banner ah lie”.. and so on and so on.
Sigmond, the PPP done and dead as a doornail if these IMAGES are handled correctly by the opposition forces. This is a golden opportunity which mere words can’t erase or delete. A picture is worth a thousand words and the IMAGES are there to be exploited come election time.
Even the staunchest of party loyalist will readily acquiesce to the avalanche negative images associated with the inept Jagdeo administration. The time is ripe for progressive change and the images are the vehicle that will facilitate change.
Why did you cut and RUN ?. Why you refused to accept if this
Govt is so good ?.
Is this an attemp to gain support for his bid to become the next president? This is the same person that refused to allow a debate in parliament on the issue of torture and only now is condemning the practise. As Speaker of the House set aside the standing order and allow our elected leaders to address this issue openongly in parliment.
Samboy
Lovely, well said. Mr Speaker why a probe of the teen only by
the police, what about Major Omar khan and Captain Sukhul of
the Guyana Defence Force Sir ?. And Mr Speaker what about the
present and former members of the POLICE BLACK CLOTH SQUAD ?,
start with the LEADER, Assistant Commissioner of Police,
Steve Marai.
Mr. Ramkarran i do agree with your statements about torture and abuse of the gpf on the citizens, but you should’ve spoken out before it got out of hand, you kept quiet and only when this latest incident reached worldwide then you guys are doing damage control, the world sees guyana for what it is, but it better late than never, and i commend you for speaking out.