Dear Editor,
I agree with those who call for sanctions against the perpetrators of the
torture unleashed on a youngster (_Lawyers and human rights body call for sanctions_ (http://www. stabroeknews.com/2009/stories/11/01/lawyers-and-human-rights-body-call-for-sanctions/) (SN Nov 1). The torture burns (and other acts of violence on) of the young man at the hands of police must be condemned in the strongest words possible (as several law bodies and human rights groups have done according to the SN story) and those responsible must be held accountable for their actions. The act of these renegade police is inhumane especially since it was carried out on a minor even if he is connected with the murder committed at Canal and so far we don’t know that to be a fact.
Children often engage in activities not realizing the consequences or are “lured” into committing acts by other adults. We need to treat them as children and not torture them for information. If the kid was involved in a crime or has information about a crime, he should be held accountable for his actions or be encouraged to reveal what he knows without being set on fire. Wanton violence (being set ablaze) should not be unleashed on a young lad. That is not a proper way to ferret out information to be used in an investigation of murder.
While many victims of crime and others believe the law authorities should
take necessary actions to control anti-social elements chronically addicted to criminal activities, the torture of youngsters must be condemned. Such actions are unacceptable.
The physical torture will have a permanent effect on the kid impacting on
his mental well-being for the rest of his life. The act is gruesome and
barbaric. The state should intervene to bring the doers of the torture to justice.
I endorse any legal intervention to file actions against the police who
perpetrated the act. I am curious to know what kind of training the police have had that they can take such drastic actions against a little boy.
I believe Police Commissioner Henry Greene should take appropriate actions against the culprits and those criminal elements who give the police force a bad name. During my polling activities in Guyana on crime, the leading complaint is that elements of the police are involved in criminal activities.
People are losing confidence in the police. Commissioner Greene must initiate actions to clean up the police force weeding out the criminal elements, about whom people complain continuously.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
