Two parliamentary parties are urging the immediate revamping of the police force and a witness protection programme along with a series of governance measures to address the crime crisis.
The Alliance For Change/Guyana Action Party-Rise, Organise, Rebuild Guyana (AFC/GAP-ROAR) made their proposals available to the media yesterday and they are to be put to national stakeholders at a meeting on security concerns today.
AFC/GAP-ROAR said in a release that they made the recommendations recognising the need to continuously examine contributing factors that have influenced the current escalation of criminal acts and general lawlessness, and mindful that the root causes that trigger and drive political, social and economic instability must as a matter of urgency be included as issues to be immediately addressed.
The parties are also seeking confirmation of all acting appointments within the judiciary and disciplined forces as part of wider recommendations to deal with the current security situation.
Among the immediate actions recommended is the establishment of a parliamentary standing committee on national security as recommended by the Border/National Security Report, Caricom Task Force on Crime and Security Report, Disciplined Forces Report and Security Sector Reform Action Plan.
Other immediate actions proposed are the increase in salaries and review of the conditions of service of members of the disciplined forces and restructuring of the Guyana Police Force to assign certain functions and responsibilities to civilians. More autonomy for divisional commanders in structuring and organising the police under their jurisdiction including recruitment; and the establishment of a witness protection programme are other recommendations that the parties would like to see executed right away.
Lotto funds should be immediately transferred and included in the Consolidated Fund, the parties say and all subventions approved by parliament to schools and other educational institutions should be disbursed immediately.
The parties also propose a review of the reports mentioned followed by implementation through a well-equipped and staffed secretariat to facilitate a collaborative framework for the continuous and effective work of the standing committee.
To assist in executing, monitoring and evaluating the security plans and a national security strategy they suggest that local and external expertise be contracted to study the internal and external threats and to appoint a national security advisor.
In the short term, the parties are urging the government to ensure that the disciplined forces act within the legal and constitutional framework in conducting searches, arrests and detention and the laying of charges against citizens.
They noted that concern was being expressed over the deployment and activities of the disciplined forces in the absence of a declared state of emergency, limited or otherwise, approved by the National Assembly.
The two parties are also calling for the re-establishment of the People’s Militia in each administrative region and the establishment of a ‘National Youth Development Corps.’
In terms of dealing with the narcotic trafficking, they urged the accelerated implementation of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan, as well as fast- tracking the establishment of a financial intelligence unit.
On related narcotic issues, they recommend the establishment of new rehabilitation centres and support for existing ones countrywide; and enforcing mandatory testing within the disciplined forces and for all security related positions.
On matters pertaining to governance AFC/GAP-ROAR recommend that the Parliamentary Constitution Review Committee examine and give meaning to “Inclusive Democracy” as set out in Article 13 of Constitution within a matter of 180 days.
They suggested that Parliament debate and approve a Freedom of Information Bill and broadcast legislation within 180 days.
They recommend also that the parliamentary opposition parties and other stakeholders be granted immediate and equitable access to the state media.
On constitutional offices and commissions, they recommend that the offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Ombudsman be filled. They would also like the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, Procurement, Human Rights, Women and Gender Equity, Indigenous Peoples, Rights of the Child, Ethnic Relations, and Local Government commissions fully constituted.
They proposed a review of operational procedures, functions and appointments to state boards and committees to ensure balance between the government, parliamentary opposition parties and civil society.
They also urged that government contracts approved for execution in administrative regions stipulate that as a minimum 75 per cent of all labour and other services must originate within the specific region once available.
