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Torture, unlawful killings feature in 2010 AI report on Guyana

Jun 01, 2010 News

“There were reports of human rights violations by the security forces, including unlawful killings and torture and other ill-treatment,” the 2010 report by Amnesty International on Guyana stated.
The report pointed out that while three people were sentenced to death; no executions were carried out.
The Roger Khan sentencing in October last, as a result of charges, including drug smuggling, was cited along with the government’s announcement following his conviction of a police investigation into his involvement in a “death squad”, whose members included serving and former police officers.
The report stated that these men were reportedly responsible for the torture, enforced disappearance or killing of more than 200 people between 2002 and 2006.
The dossier produced by the Joint Opposition also attracted the attention of Amnesty International when in November last, a coalition of opposition parties published the document detailing unsolved killings committed since 1993, including cases of unlawful killings by the security forces and former death squads, and called for an international inquiry.
On the issue of torture, Amnesty International stated that there were reports of torture and ill-treatment by the security forces, pointing to the three persons detained in connection with a murder and were subsequently tortured and ill-treated at Leonora police station in October.
The report stated that on October 27, 2009, a 15-year-old boy was badly beaten and his genital area set alight when he refused to sign a confession. He was released without charge four days later and admitted to hospital.
The day before, on October 26, Deonarine Rafik had also been badly beaten and forced to sign a confession and he was charged with murder on October 30. The report noted that he was held in pretrial detention until charges were withdrawn and he was released on December 3.
The report also documented that Nouravie Wilfred was held incommunicado for seven days and ill-treated before being released without charge on 3rd December.
The report does take cognizance of the fact that three police officers were awaiting trial on charges of “unlawful wounding” at the end of the year.
As it relates to the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, the report said that archaic colonial laws continued to be used to discriminate against people on grounds of their sexuality.
Amnesty International documented the fact that in February, seven people were convicted and fined under an article of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, which criminalises cross-dressing for both men and women.
As it relates to the ‘Right to health’ the report takes cognizance of the fact that in April, a National HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy was introduced.
“Stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS, however, remained a barrier to the successful implementation of treatment, particularly for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people…Violations of the rights to privacy and confidentiality also continued to discourage people from seeking an HIV test or treatment.
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognised human rights for all.
“Our supporters are outraged by human rights abuses but inspired by hope for a better world – so we work to improve human rights through campaigning and international solidarity….We have more than 2.8 million members and supporters in more than 150 countries and regions and we co-ordinate this support to act for justice on a wide range of issues.”

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