Dear Editor,
Within days of its announcement of its acceptance of Southcom’s assistance in investigating the Ministry of Health fire, the Guyana government through Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and Police Commissioner Henry Greene, informed the public that it had been determined that the alleged firebombing of the health ministry was orchestrated and implemented by political elements bent on creating confusion in the society.
On what evidence, and based on whose investigation has this finding been determined? Are these conclusions based on information resulting from the alleged torture of and violence against some of the suspects arrested?
If Southcom has not been actively involved in the investigation thus far, it cannot and must not allow itself to be compromised by having its name associated with it. In such circumstances, the Obama administration should have no hesitation in withdrawing its offer of assistance with this specific investigation. This is necessary if future offers of assistance to Caricom member states with investigations into major crimes and national tragedies are to be credible and final reports accepted and supported by the general public.
The Obama administration and the international community in general cannot be seen to be a part of investigations which lack credibility and might be driven by partisan political considerations. Beyond withdrawing its offer of assistance with the Guyana investigation, the US as well as the rest of the international community, including Caricom governments, political parties and the Caricom Secretariat must publicly request the Jagdeo administration to hold independent investigations into the allegations of the torture of suspects held in connection with the fire.
The ongoing allegations of the torture of, and violence against citizens, even if suspected of crimes, since they are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, cannot be allowed to continue.
Add to these allegations, the influence of the narco-traffickers, allegations of racial discrimination and the growing level of poverty in the country could well be the ‘maternity ward’ for social unrest that could seriously undermine stability. Hence, now is the time for action on the part of the international community.
In another recent development, a US Drug Enforc-ement Agency (DEA) informant from Guyana, in testimony before a New York court earlier this week, testified under oath that Guyana’s Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy was contacted by Guyanese Roger Khan, before his arrest by US authorities on drug trafficking charges, after Khan’s associates had murdered Guyanese political activist Ronald Waddell, a critic of Khan.
Contacted by one section of the Guyana media for a comment on the testimony, Minister Ramsammy, according to the report, dismissed the testimony as nonsense, adding that he was too busy to address the allegation. This is not the first time Minister Ramsammy’s name has been associated with confessed drug dealer Roger Khan.
These are serious allegations against Minister Ramsammy, and notwithstanding the excellent work he has been doing in the country’s health sector, he must now step down, even if temporarily, so that he could find the time to address the allegations against him.
The Ministry of Health is the recipient of millions of US dollars from international donors and the stewardship of such assistance cannot enjoy broad public support and confidence if it remains under Minister Ramsammy’s watch while serious allegations against him are not addressed.
Like any other person against whom allegations are made, Dr Ramsammy is innocent until proven guilty. However, given the office he holds, and the fact that there is significant international cooperation with his ministry, he must step down until such time as the allegations against him are fully addressed.
Yours faithfully,
Wesley Kirton