Minister of Human Services & Social Security Priya Manickchand yesterday condemned the “horrific” torture of a 15-year-old murder suspect by policemen at the Leonora Police Station and said she expects the perpetrators will face the full force of the law.
Calling the incident a “criminal act” Manickchand said the allegations of the child’s pelvic area being set ablaze while in police custody is of “great concern to her and she reminded the lawmen that when brutality is used to elicit statements it only results in them being thrown out of court during trial.
The boy’s experience, which saw him enduring days of torture at the hands of the police, has been roundly condemned by many with the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), the Guyana Bar Association and a group of 25 lawyers all issuing statements deploring the incident.
The minister in her statement said that she was encouraged by the police announcement that the two policemen who allegedly perpetrated the act have been arrested.
The police said on Saturday that two officers attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who interrogated the teen, have since been arrested as the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched an investigation.
“I commend the police force for recognising that this should never have happened and for taking speedy action. I expect a full investigation shall be pursued with a view not only to bringing these perpetrators to justice but to ensuring this never happens again,” the minister said.
According to the minister the “rogue officers” must be made to understand that obtaining any statement or evidence in such a manner does no one any good as any such statement or evidence obtained in such a manner would be thrown out at trial. “Any such statement/s will therefore be useless in proving any offence. The … man whose murder was being investigated and his family are at risk of forever searching for justice. This is sad,” the minister said.
She said her government remains committed to providing an environment where children can thrive and their talents given every opportunity to flourish. She said the government’s commitment is evidenced in many actions including the establishment of the Childcare and Protection Agency and the passage of and laying in the National Assembly of several pieces of legislation including the Juvenile Offenders Amendment Act piloted by Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee in 2007.
