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Constitution protects citizens against torture– Backer
PNCR Leader Robert Corbin and Executive Member, Deborah Backer, during the press conference yesterdays
The notion that a country is judged by the way it treats its worst citizens was emphasised by People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Executive Member, Deborah Backer, when the party held its weekly press conference yesterday.
Backer’s comment came even as the party executives deliberated on Government’s refusal to support the motion on torture which was put forward by the PNCR on Monday last in the National Assembly.
According to Backer, citizens have a right not to be tortured. One is entitled to such a right by virtue of being a human being, and not by some bestowed privilege, she said.
She explained that the government’s apparent intent not to embrace this concept is a serious indictment for which the Jagdeo regime will eventually be answerable.
“The government’s continued failure to publish the report on torture committed by some elements of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and their refusal to investigate other allegations against the Joint Services in Guyana, illustrate the regime’s blatant disregard for the human rights of Guyanese.
“(It illustrates) their lack of concern over the violation of the fundamental rights of citizens as guaranteed by Articles 138 to 153 of the Constitution and the callousness with which they regard the provisions of the International Convention on Torture to which Guyana is a signatory.”
Backer pointed out that the approval of torture by the PPP/C regime is a frightening development in Guyana, adding that Guyanese both at home and abroad must be put on notice.
She disclosed that the people of Guyana cannot afford to treat the situation lightly, even as she highlighted the gruesome and well-documented experiences of torture in Latin America and farther afield.
“When the Minister of Agriculture refers to cruel acts of torture as, “merely roughing–up”, and the Head of the Presidential Secretariat confesses that the government never intended to punish anyone found guilty in the recent torture investigations in the GDF, it is time for Guyanese to reflect on the atrocities of the Pinochet regime of Chile and of those committed by General Somoza of Nicaragua.”
Backer asserted that positive action is required before it is too late. She reiterated her party’s stance that once all the local remedies are exhausted, the PNCR will be pursuing the matter at the international level to make the regime accountable to international bodies.
She further related that the Head of State, and the GDF and police officers involved in torture, should take note that the International Court of Justice is not blinded by office or position.
“Charles Taylor was indicted and is still in custody facing trial; a Sudanese President was recently indicted; General Milosevic of Yugoslavia was eventually arrested and died in custody; and, several soldiers in Eastern Europe have faced the Court in The Hague. “Everyone is individually responsible for his or her actions.
Consequently, those responsible for the torture of Guyanese citizens should know that the PNCR would not rest until they are brought to justice.”
According to the party leader, Robert Corbin, the PNCR is not simply basing its case on the five individuals that have produced statements which detailed how they were tortured, but also on the several other persons that were subjected to similar treatment but are too afraid to speak out. He noted that the PNCR’s intent is to emphasise that there needs to be a principle against the use of torture.
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