Dear Editor,
I write on behalf of the New York/New Jersey Chapter of the AFC. This letter is occasioned by a very disturbing article published in the January 17, 2008 edition of your newspaper. The article entitled “Family In Child Beating Case Opting for Settlement – Commander Maintains That Asthma Landed Lad In Hospital”, relates to an apparent incident of police brutality against a 10 year old boy at Sisters Village, in Berbice.
We have observed with dismay what appears to be increasing incidents of abuse of citizens of Guyana by the Police and more recently by the Guyana Defence Force. Such abuse is apparently now so rampant and unpunished that it is now beginning to be perpetrated against children. We observe with deep regret that the government of Guyana appears indifferent to these allegations of abuse, as they are yet to hold the accused accountable. It is an indication of a nation that has lost or is rapidly losing its “soul” when instrumentalities of the state are turning against their citizens, particularly children. We note the account of the victim’s relatives who said that they witnessed the abuse of the child but were too terrified of the police to intervene. The people of Guyana depend on the police to protect them; it is a severe breach of trust when the police are the ones abusing them instead. Moreover, this matter is too serious to be resolved outside of the criminal justice system; it is inappropriate for the parties to attempt to resolve this matter privately.
We call on the government of Guyana to immediately address these increasing incidents of abuse. In the absence of an affirmative response by the government, we will consult with international human rights organizations to apprise them of the increasing incidents of human rights abuses by instrumentalities of the state.
Yours faithfully,
Terrence Duncan
