PNCR-1G Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday walked out of the National Assembly after a request for a debate on the police investigation of the alleged torture of suspects, including a teen boy, while in police custody was denied.
The walkout was prompted by Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran’s refusal to grant a request by PNCR leader Robert Corbin to move the adjournment of the Assembly on a definite matter of public importance, citing the ongoing investigation as well as the charges against two policemen that are engaging the attention of the court. Two policemen, Narine Lall and Mohanram Dolai, have been charged with unlawful wounding in connection with two prisoners but no charges have been filed in connection with the boy, who was burnt in his genital region. “Bye, bye,” PNCR-1G MPs said as they were led by Corbin out of the parliamentary chamber, where AFC MP Sheila Holder and GAP-ROAR MP Everall Franklin remained the sole occupants of opposition benches.
In the absence of the PNCR-1G, the government yesterday proceeded with the passage of the Private Security Services Bill 2009, the adoption of the report of the Special Select Committee To Make Recommendations on the Parliament of Guyana Manual of Rules of procedures and Operations of Committees. Another Bill, the Credit Reporting Bill 2009, was referred to a Special Select Committee.
The torture case has attracted wide condemnation along with calls for an independent inquiry. Corbin yesterday told the Assembly that he did not propose to deal with the issues currently before the court but felt compelled to raise the Terms of Reference for the investigation as well as the systematic deficiencies and other issues that he felt contributed to the situation.
Further, noting that President Bharrat Jagdeo last week gave the force two weeks to complete its investigation, after which all the perpetrators will face the full consequences, he argued that the urgency of the issues cold not be disputed and given the national outcry, the public important was obvious.
Ramkarran, who agreed that the allegation of torture is indeed a serious matter, noted that the issue of the Terms of Reference of the investigation was not a matter of urgent public importance. “That is a matter for the President,” he said, “That is not matter for the Parliament.” Corbin sought to frame his request in the context of ensuring a credible investigation before the expiration of the two-week deadline given by the President, while reiterating that he would refrain from traversing any issue under adjudication. Ramkarran did, however, suggest to Corbin that he consider exploring whether the government would be inclined to listen to legal advice to set up an inquiry into a specific incident while it is also before the court.
Last week, President Jagdeo said that if the report of the investigation by police does not satisfy him, an external inquiry may be considered. He said that he had called for an “open investigation” and noted the need for “the strongest possible action” to be taken 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 explained. When questioned, he ruled out extending the current investigation into other allegations of torture by members of the joint services. Questions have, however, been raised about the propriety of an internal police investigation.
actions speak louder than words….take to the streets and protest day and night until your voices are heard.
“take to the streets and protest” next thing you know for unknown reason “indian” people get beat up or robbed. They got to be real careful withn that one sandman.
The tyranny of the majority rules supreme with the acquiescence of its supporters at home and abroad. The opposition parties in Guyana must realize that this government will not yield to sophomoric actions like walkouts of the National Assembly. More vibrant and directly targeted action is needed at home and abroad. This government must be exposed for what it is. It’s an elected dictatorship and rules with an iron fist and with a vengeance unparalleled for English-speaking Caribbean nations.
It’s all politics. Forget about protest just organize right where you are.
S.F.all of them will need to see a board certified otolaryngologist first.
sandman i hope you will be part of the protest.
love the ppp, guyana best.
I am unsure if anything can ever be solved with common sense if the minority paty is continuously walking out.To go nowhere as usual.
“The issue of the Terms of Reference of the investigation into TORTURE is not a matter of urgent public importance”, said PPP House Speaker, Ramkarran.
This was his excuse for refusing to allow a parliamentary debate on the matter of TORTURE.
What are the Guyanese people to now think of the recent letter penned by this very PPP politician asking that TORTURE be brought under the spotlight? Hypocritical comes to mind.
Yaaaaaaawn…
Reddy why don’t you get a life, if all are so well in Guyana, and the PPP are doing such a great, why are you living in a third world country like Barbados, go back to Guyana and join, Jagdeo’s government.
Reddy go count them grains of sand on the beach.
Oh sorry…yaaaawnn…Torture ? These oportunists and publicity seekers dem in this so called walk out are trying to skew priorities and trying to twist the reality They effectivetly avoiding the greater problem of terrorism and pandering to their dwindling support base. They gon get a good kick in their backsides when election time comes around….Some of dem could as well get more excercise with cardboard holding to prepare dem fo retirement…hehehehehe…
Reddy rejoices at dictatorship tatics.
This issue will come back and bite the ppp govt and the house speaker in the rear one of these days
The world is looking to see how guyana deal with this three headed monster.
PNCR-1G
Even the name is getting longer(not only the murder list that Corbain is putting together).
What is this ‘1G’?one gram!!!one green!!!!one gig(pnc memory)!!!
One Guyana DOC.
That is how it gonna be in time to come. Dont rush da brush budday.
One grain.
SN, was there a motion in the HOUSE to investigate the killing of innocent children in their beds.
was there one to investigate the missing AK47.
in a democracy majority rule.
health care was pass with one rep. vote, that is democracy, corbin they don’t your vote to run the country.
Health is in danger of not passing through the senate because unlike the PPP the democrats do not think in lock step with the president. They actually think for themselves and put the welfare of their constituents before party loyalty. That’s the problem Obama is facing party members thinking independently. I know he wish he had a group of yesmen like Jagdeo has. Then again no, we pride ourselves in exercising that very freedom that our military fight so valiantly to defend everyday. I don’t know if they will ever know the meaning of freedom in Guyana.
November 13, 2009 at 8:06 am
SN, was there a motion in the HOUSE to investigate the killing of innocent children in their beds.
was there one to investigate the missing AK47.
in a democracy majority rule.
health care was pass with one rep. vote, that is democracy, corbin they don’t your vote to run the country.
how long waiting on moderation, until midnight
Are you making an argument against investigating torture freespeech?
“If the report of the police does not satisfy him, an external inquiry would be considered” … is this guy for real ?? Why is it always about ‘him’ .. the megalomaniac himself !!
Why doesn’t Jagdeo get out of the way of seeing that justice is served ? The ignorance is just too much to bear !!
Appalling, to say the least. Everything has to be deferred to the President.
Reddy, keep yawning. You’ll soon be wide awake when the realization hits you that your beloved dictators no longer rule.