Guyana police seeking DPP advice in torture allegations
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| Published on Saturday, November 21, 2009 |
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GEORGETOWN, Guyana -- The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is now awaiting the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) as they have completed an investigation into the alleged torture of two prisoners, including a 14-year-old murder suspect.
The investigation was ordered by President Bharrat Jagdeo two weeks ago, after the teen reported abuse at the hands of the lawmen while he was in custody.
On Thursday evening, the Ministry of Home Affairs, issued a statement which said that it was informed that the DPP has the file under active consideration and that the police force will be advised on the matter shortly.
“Following receipt of the advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Commissioner of Police will provide the Minister of Home Affairs with the Police Report and the Director of Public Prosecution’s advice which will eventually be made public in keeping with His Excellency’s public commitment,” the release said.
On November 5, Jagdeo issued an ultimatum to the police to complete a “ full and thorough” investigation into the allegations and made it clear that those found guilty must face the full force of the law.
The President had condemned strongly the police actions
“I think that we have to take the strongest possible action against all the perpetrators.” This action will not be limited to the direct participants, but all those involved will have “to bear some of the consequences,” Jagdeo said.
The allegations had created public outcry here as many organizations and individuals expressed dissatisfaction with the lawmen’s actions.
The country’s human service minister Priya Manickchand, who has responsibility for children, had described the act as being “horrific” and “criminal”
Manickchand said she expected a full investigation with a view not only to bringing these perpetrators to justice but to ensuring this never happens again.
”These rogue officers of the police force must be made to understand that obtaining any statement or evidence in this manner does no one any good as any such statement or evidence obtained after this kind of brutality will most likely be thrown out by the court at the time of trial. Any such statement/s will therefore be useless in proving any offence. The dead man whose murder was being investigated and his family are at risk of forever searching for justice," the minister stated. | | | | Reads : 600 | | | |
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