The PNCR said yesterday that it was troubled by statements made by President Bharrat Jagdeo in the media, that there has been a delay in the publication of the Torture Report, which is to be completed by the Guyana Defence Force.
In a press release the opposition party said: “It is claimed that the delayed publication has been occasioned by its improper submission to the Defence Board.” The party said such an excuse was unbecoming of the minister of defence and head of state and lacked credibility. Adding that it was “calculated to bring GDF into disrepute, the release said it also “raises questions about the efficiency of the Jagdeo administration.” Regardless of the reason, the PNCR said, “the fact remains that suspicions have been aroused that the report is being subjected to doctoring by the political directorate.”
In order to quell suspicions, the party said, the government must publish the report forthwith, as further delays would leave the administration open to the allegation that it might be seeking to protect officers who are guilty of torture. At the same time, the PNCR reiterated its position that only an independent investigation of the torture allegation could exonerate members of the Disciplined Forces.
