We must cease being takers and become caretakers

Jun 18, 2021 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,

There are times when the thoughts that enters one’s head emanating from what has been read, immediately calls for a closer look-see at the classification of primates known as the human species. According to Russel Brand, “How we treat the vulnerable is how we define ourselves as a species,” and United States President, Harry Truman (1884-1972), brings such a truth closer to home in the following quote, “A society will be judged by how it treats its weakest members.”
While the recent death of Hosea Ajadai, a 24-year-old mentally ill man did cause some concern, of an equally disturbing nature were the circumstances and conditions that existed prior to his death. Perhaps it would be advantageous, at least from a journalistic standpoint if certain facets of information are omitted, especially those that blatantly confirm our Third World status.
On Tuesday morning, the battered body of 56-year-old Linden resident, Wanda Wilson, was discovered in her home by the police. The main suspect in the murder was her son, who was later taken into police custody. Of note is the fact that the then deceased and the suspect were deemed to be both mentally ill. The accused was detained at the Mackenzie Police Station, where according to the Police Commander of Region 10, Hugh Winter, he was never given a cell since his detention, but remained on the bench for three days. The Commander further claimed that the accused was given food and water. While mention of the latter may be seen as a humane gesture, the overall treatment nevertheless smacks of gross mistreatment and disregard for human rights. Excerpts from The Laws of Guyana-Prison Act. Part IV. 17 (2) states: every person wherever he is confined in any lock-up in which he may lawfully be confined, ………… or under the control of any person in charge of any lock-up shall be deemed to be in legal custody of the person in charge of the lock-up.
Powers of Detention: Part IV. 20 every person arrested under any writ, warrant or order of any court having civil jurisdiction shall be brought without delay before the court by which the writ, warrant or order was issued or made…
What was his status as he sat on the bench? What hindered him from being given a cell? What were the charges? It is claimed that he was assisting in the investigation. Were there other suspects? Currently in Guyana, the law clearly states that the police can arrest and/or detain a person for 72 hours and thereafter that person shall be released or taken before a court. Did those sworn to serve and protect run afoul of the law and totally disregarded the stipulated 72 hours? He was provided with victuals, but no reference made as to how his other needs were met. How did he sleep, perform his ADL’s, etc.?
Detention of Persons. Part IV. 18 The persons in charge of prisons and lockups are hereby authorise and require to keep and detail all persons duly committed to their custody according to the terms of any court, warrant or order. Laws are not made with only the lawless in mind, so why are the laws in place being transgressed and trampled with impunity, by those who are mandated to enforce the law?
Both mother and son were known to be suffering from mental illness, and one wonders if any consideration was given to this fact during the locking up of the victim.
The Laws of Guyana Prisons Act, Persons of unsound mind. Part IV. 24 states: Whenever a prisoner or a person detained in a prison or lock-up appears to the Minister on the certificate of a government Medical Officer to be of unsound mind, the Minister may direct his removal to the Mental Hospital to be kept and treated as if such person had been detained in the Mental Hospital under the Mental Hospital Ordinance.
According to police, on Friday last the accused complained of feeling unwell while sitting on the bench, and was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Such a statement augments further concerns regarding care given while in custody. It is obvious that the hapless individual must have experienced a medical crisis, prior to arriving at the hospital. Was the accused observed, if so, how often? What did the observations reveal? Are the observation records available? Was medical intervention requested? If so, by whom, and at what stage of his detention and subsequent passing?
There still remain a multitude of unanswered questions, especially those surrounding detention, the rights of citizens, basic standard of treatment of citizens, conduct of law enforcement officers and abuse of the law. While the autopsy may provide causal factor(s) of death, nevertheless what to the world has been shown is the treatment a nation dishes out to its own.
Aleuta continua – The struggle continues.

Yours faithfully
Y. Sam

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