Guyana: Urgent action needed on witness protection
Sunday, June 27, 2004
LONDON, England: The murder of George
Bacchus, a self-confessed death squad "informant", two days before he was due
to testify in related criminal proceedings demonstrates once again the urgent
need for a comprehensive protection scheme in Guyana, Amnesty International
said Friday. "Since allegations of the
existence of a death squad in Guyana surfaced six months' ago, Amnesty
International has repeatedly urged the Guyanese authorities to take action to
protect individuals involved in investigations regarding murder,
"disappearance" or other crimes." George
Bacchus had been due to testify this week at the preliminary inquiry of two
police officers charged with the murder of his brother, Shafeek, on 5 January.
Bacchus claimed that he had been the intended victim and that members of the
death squad were responsible. Gunmen reportedly burst into Bacchus' home early
Thursday morning and shot him dead. On
Wednesday, the Chief Magistrate heading the preliminary inquiry quit, citing
reports that she was on a death squad "hit list".
"The Guyanese authorities are under a legal obligation to take proactive
measures to investigate these latest incidents thoroughly and impartially,
along with other credible allegations that a death squad has murdered,
"disappeared" and tortured numerous individuals since 2002. Anyone found
responsible must be brought to justice." "In
light of reports alleging the involvement of members of the security forces,
neither the Guyana Police Force nor the Ministry of National Security should
be linked to related investigations or witness protection efforts. The
authorities must protect victims' relatives, witnesses, members of the
judiciary, lawyers, journalists, police officers and human rights defenders
against all forms of intimidation," Amnesty International concluded.
In January 2004, George Bacchus made public allegations about the existence of
a death squad or squads with members including existing and former police
officers. On 7 May, the Minister of Home Affairs announced that he would
vacate his office to allow an inquiry to proceed after Bacchus alleged the
Minister's involvement in the squad. On 15 May the President of Guyana
announced an inquiry, pursuant to the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1933. The
inquiry has not yet commenced. Another man charged with the murder of Shafeek
Bacchus died in custody on 1 February.
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