The PPP/C will never support or sanction torture

Nov 04, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
It seems that some police officers and ranks need to be reminded in no uncertain terms, that they cannot break the law to uphold the law and that, they are not above the law.
I do believe that the People’s Progressive Party and the PPP/C administration, many of whose leaders and members, over decades of state-sponsored police brutality and harassment, under the PNC regime, to which party the security forces were obliged to pledge their loyalty, instead of to the Constitution, have never, and will never promote or sanction such behaviour by members of the security services.
In reference to the report of the cruel and inhumane treatment to a 14-year-old youth, arrested and detained by the police in pursuance of an investigation, I fully support the actions taken and comments made by senior counsel and former Attorney-General Bernard de Santos, also a PPP/C member of Parliament, and Mr. Nigel Hughes, S.C, condemning the ill-treatment meted out to the young man and possibly another
The police cannot be asking for the co-operation and collaboration of the public in helping to prevent and stamp out crime on the one hand and then on the other, ill-treating members of the same public, contrary to the laws, constitution and international conventions which our government has adopted and signed.
The police has commendably reacted swiftly to the complaints and has two of its members under arrest and are expected to expeditiously bring this matter to a just conclusion and take further steps to prevent such occurrences.
We know that over a period of time, according to press reports, the police administration has disciplined over 100 members – dismissing some, transferring some and placing others before the courts, through the Office of Professional Responsibility and the Police Complaints Authority.
The police, with the support of the Guyana Defence Force, have made significant progress in dismantling criminal gangs and reducing crimes, for which they must be commended.
The PPP/C Government has invested considerable amounts of money in the Joint Services, providing equipment and training, only insisting on professionalism in the performance of their duties.
The police administration has made many promotions over the years and also given out awards for good performance.
We surely expect better from the members of the services and do not expect unprofessional conduct.
It is alarming also to learn that detained persons are being hampered in their access to attorneys and vice versa and that the media are being restricted, including to court rooms, and family members of persons being detained are being misled as to where they are detained.
I think that among other things, the Guyana Bar Association should have an early meeting with the police administration and such meetings should be held on a regular basis.
John Da Silva

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The PPP/C will never support or sanction torture

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