The charge of torture against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is a serious accusation which needs to be cleared up as soon as possible, according to former President Mrs Janet Jagan.
Writing in the Weekend Mirror of 26-27 January, Mrs Jagan said that the seriousness of the accusation has led to the PPP’s General Secretary Donald Ramotar publicly calling for an investigation. Mrs Jagan also pointed out that President Bharrat Jagdeo has announced that an investigation is taking place.
“The charge could be true or false, but it provides juicy and constant attacks by the media. The sooner the investigation concludes the better for the nation. A nasty allegation like that can harm Guyana’s name and integrity”.
Mrs Jagan’s column then went on to address the torture allegations that have been directed at the United States over its handling of prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay facility in Cuba, the rendition of prisoners to third countries and the abuse of Iraqi detainees by US servicemen at the Abu Ghraib facility.
The army recently commissioned a board of inquiry to investigate claims of torture meted out to soldiers: Michael Dunn, Sharth Robertson and Alvin Wilson who were implicated in the theft of an AK 47. Army sources told Stabroek News recently that the high command of the force has taken the allegations seriously and the officers involved in the beating of the men would likely lose seniority. Stabroek News was told that the board of inquiry is expected to submit its report soon.
The board of inquiry has interviewed all of the soldiers who accused the officers of beating them. Asked whether the officers would be court-martialled, the source replied in the negative but noted that they will definitely lose seniority. “This thing has embarrassed the force and we cannot have three people bringing down the name of the organisation,” the source who asked not to be named said. Stabroek News was told that the officers have been implicated in other alleged transgressions and at least one of them was involved in the attempt to evict former Chief of Staff, Edward Collins from Camp Ayanganna recently.
The torture allegations had been levelled at members of the GDF’s Military Criminal Investigation Department.
