As public pressure mounts over the alleged torture of several soldiers by members of an army unit during investigations into the theft of an AK-47 rifle, the ruling PPP yesterday said it did not condone brutality against citizens and would support an independent probe into the matter.
Speaking at a media conference at the party’s headquarters on Robb Street, Georgetown yesterday, PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar said that over the years the party always upheld human rights and did not support torture of any kind of citizens.
Ramotar said the army has since announced that it would conduct an investigation into the allegations and this was good news. Asked whether the army should investigate itself in this matter, Ramotar said any organization would want to conduct a probe into allegations made against it. However, this should not preclude other organizations and bodies from conducting their own investigations, he added.
Asked whether the PPP would support an independent inquiry into the allegations, Ramotar answered in the affirmative, adding that the party was about openness. “We are for more and more openness,” he said.
On Monday, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) said it found it very disturbing that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was now allegedly engaged in torturing citizens – atrocities previously associated with the police – and it would seek answers from the army. The organization also chided Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and President Bharrat Jagdeo for making light of the brutality reports.
Several soldiers have complained to Stabroek News about being tortured over the loss of the weapon. Michael Dunn, Alvin Wilson and Sharth Robertson said they were pepper-sprayed, immersed in a gutter and whipped with metal pipes during interrogation.
President Jagdeo has since said that the beaten soldiers had other means of recourse as they could go to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and the courts. He also said that his government did not support torture.
PNCR Spokesman Aubrey Norton has told reporters that the party was taking steps to approach the United Nations Committee Against Torture, noting that the issue needed to be internationalised and those living here and abroad should know about the callousness of the government. Rohee said last week that Guyanese were not concerned about torture, but rather acquiring homes, house lots and unpacking barrels sent from overseas. Asked for a reaction to the minister’s comments, Ramotar said he would reserve his comments until he viewed the tape of the press conference.
PNCR Leader Robert Corbin, however, said Rohee’s comments were “disgraceful and unconscionable”, adding that for a Minister of Home Affairs who knew the history of this country to make such remarks was totally unacceptable. “Torture has been of grave concern to Guyanese