The main purpose of the meeting of civil society stakeholders with President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday appeared to be aimed at obtaining suggestions that could be fed to the joint services to improve security.
In view of that objective, Co-Chair of the Guyana Human Rights Association Mike McCormack told Stabroek News that a number of issues were raised and copies of the four-page review of the government’s Security Sector Reform Project were distributed to all those present. The meeting was, however, adjourned to noon today to give persons a chance to raise issues they deemed relevant given the time factor which some thought was inadequate and a chance to discuss the security project.
Also present at the meeting were acting Commissioner of Police Henry Greene and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Commodore Gary Best who outlined the policy adopted of apprehending the criminals and bringing them to justice.
There were about seventy representatives at the first of two stakeholders meetings held yesterday since the one meeting of all stakeholders originally intended for 13:30 hours was split into two. The first meeting of stakeholders excluded the parliamentary political parties and began at 3.30 pm while the meeting of political parties and the President began at 5 pm.
In his view, Mc Cormack said that the Commodore’s view on the security services policy differed from what government spokespersons were advocating in terms of a war on terrorism, the attendant risks of torture and violence which also threaten due process and the rule of law. The Commodore’s policy, he said, was “much more acceptable and reassuring compared to the rhetoric that we have heard from the politicians.”
He said that one of the suggestions put forward was the need for cooperation from government officials and the government media to end the character assassination of individuals and organisations that are presenting suggestions on how the situation could be dealt with and are exploring other possible explanations as to why such criminality is taking place.
Finding out why the crime situation is spiralling out of control, he said, was a legitimate area of enquiry for any credible organization or individual and the government has been unwilling to accept anything, and it has been polarising rather than encouraging cooperation.
Other issues reportedly dealt with included the lack of cooperation between the joint services and the public, resulting in poor intelligence gathering by the police and security services.
In addition, unanswered calls and lack of response by the police when persons make reports of criminal acts committed on them, was also noted as a cause for concern.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Guyana Council of Churches (GCC) Reverend Alphonso Porter gave President Jagdeo credit for taking the consultative approach to dealing with crime and stated that he would avail himself to the best of his ability to assist.
Porter said that the government alone could not manage the situation. He said, “When there is an attack on the security forces of our country that tells a lot of things. None of us would be able to escape it.”
He added, “We are just disappointed that the politicians are talking to make their parties look nice. But we see a lack of maturity by the two political parties. They need to follow the example of the two telecommunications companies in Guyana.”
He referred to when GT&T (Guyana Telephone and Telegraph) came together with Digicel to make a joint statement condemning the Lusignan massacre in spite of the intense competition they are engaged in.
“When it comes to a threat to the fabric of the society there was no competition in their eyes. I see the same role for the political parties. That is our deep concern. Any joint approach by the political parties is one that we will support. The political directors do not have the answers.”
