Latest update February 9th, 2025 5:59 AM
Latest News
- “Oil-rich Guyana is worse off from the very start”- Glenn Lall
- Terrence Campbell to remain member of oil money Investment Committee despite transparency concerns in use of revenues
- Trump freezes aid to South Africa amid spat over land expropriation law
- 102 Venezuelans to be deported for illegally entering Guyana
- Man shoots woman with arrow and bow
Independent probe into ‘Phantom Killings’ unlikely – Dr Luncheon
Dr Roger Luncheon
Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon yesterday told media operatives that an independent investigation into a number of killings allegedly at the hands of a phantom squad is very unlikely as it will be done by the only body authorized to conduct such a probe, the Guyana Police Force.
According to Dr Luncheon, critical to that investigation is the information that surfaced in trials in the US, but this is yet to be had.
While not ruling out the possibility of an independent probe completely Dr Luncheon said that the likelihood of such an investigation is “slim”.
He conceded that while there is need for closure there needs to be patience, adding that the Administration does not want rush to bring finality whilst taking shortcuts. This he said would bring “superficial closure.”
The governments of Canada and the United Kingdom have both urged that Guyana have an independent commission to probe allegations of grave human rights abuses and killings by the ‘phantom squad.’
At the Human Rights Council in Geneva recently, several other western countries advocated independent investigations into complaints and possible violations of human rights committed by state security agencies.
According to a draft report released by the UN, Canada has recommended that an independent commission, supported by international experts as necessary, investigate the allegations.
Ottawa has also recommended to Georgetown that it invite the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture to conduct an assessment of claims of torture here.
There have been many complaints of torture at the hands of the security forces, one such being that of Tywon Thomas, the teenager who had his torso burnt while in police custody.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett in response to the recommendations and comments made in Geneva said that while Guyana has endured severe challenges in the security sector, “the many interventions have started to bear fruit”.
Dr Luncheon yesterday emphasized that any analysis of Guyana as it relates to Human Rights must be addressed in the context of the progress that the nation has made over the years.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Due diligence on investments must become a priority
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- In 1985, the Forbes Burnham government looking for economic salvation, entered into a memorandum... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
