Prisoner’s death clear case of murder - AFC

Prisoner’s death clear case of murder – AFC

Jul 15, 2008 News

– party says rule of law palpably absent in Guyana

The Alliance for Change (AFC) has described the death of prisoner Edwin Niles as “a clear case of murder”, and has said that the violation of human rights is now a norm rather than the exception “in this out of control administration.”
In a statement issued yesterday, the AFC said that another death of a Guyanese in the custody of the Joint Services, this time the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service, has done further damage to the credibility, professionalism and integrity of law enforcement agencies in Guyana.
“Coming in the wake of torture allegations involving the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force, and the refusal of the government to release the report, coupled with the suspicious circumstances surrounding recent police shootings of wanted persons, the revelations coming out of the Roger Khan trial and the Lindo Creek deaths, suggests that the violation of citizens’ human rights is now a norm rather than the exception.”
“The modus operandi and techniques being employed by the security forces to manage crime and security, reflect a failure to apply and uphold the rule of law as would be expected in a democracy, and exposes the absence of any coherent government policy as to how to effectively manage the sector.
“These actions are like self inflicted wounds that will continue to undermine the efficacy of the security forces and the respect and confidence of the people, so vitally necessary for success and confidence building.
“Unfolding indicators that the government may want to flout the authority of the Court and not release Oliver Hinckson are indicative of the attitude that the political end justifies the means even if the rule of law is thrown aside.”
“Guyana is seriously impaled on the horns of a state/security dilemma where by its very actions to regain control of runaway crime, the government is undermining its legitimacy.”
According to the statement, AFC Leader Raphael Trotman had previously cautioned about the implications of this dilemma before, where the state is further weakened and eventually collapses and implodes into chaos.
“In this regard, the AFC contends that there is now no need for any kind of investigation as is being called for by others. A charge for the capital offence of murder should therefore automatically follow, as convicted prisoner Edwin Niles, 34, of Guyhoc Park died while in the custody and control of known ranks of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service.”
“How many more must die? How the government deals with this issue will determine whether Guyanese are living in a democratic state where the rule of law prevails or in a dictatorship,” the statement added.
On Saturday, PNCR Leader Robert Corbin called for an independent investigation into Niles’s death.
Corbin said information he has received “clearly indicates” Niles was beaten and tortured by officers from the Georgetown Prison and from Brickdam (Police Station).
According to Corbin, he was informed that Niles was beaten with a stick and rubber hose.
“It is clear that…they were carrying out an investigation into the bullets (found on Niles) and they tortured him, and all of this adds to the list of independent inquiries that they should have into the operations of the security forces,” he told Kaieteur News.
In his opinion, the nation has lost confidence in the administration to mount impartial investigations.

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Prisoner’s death clear case of murder – AFC

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