Dear Editor,
In the midst of the overwhelming and continuing public outcry, attempts have been made to justify the latest torture incident. These attempts are low-key and subtle, in an effort to defuse the indefensible. Whatever the reasons for, and the source of these efforts, it is vital that society grasps the shades of – and threats embedded in – torturous activities. It is, perhaps, timely to associate with the formidable scope that can be brought to bear, whether from the past, the present, or later.
It does not matter as to the type or methodology of torture practised, or whether it is physical or psychological. This is not about the questionable value of information received by interrogators told what it is believed that they desire to hear. No, it is not about any of this. Instead, this is about extrapolating and focusing on situations where torture in one form or another has been the catapult through which others have been bombarded to bring them to heel and submission.
There was the recent vilification of a critic through the tortured exhumation of a decades old incident; there was the drawn out bloodless torture of withholding ads from one newspaper to pulverize its resistance; there is the psychological torture currently waged against another publication to render it docile and whimpering. And there is the occupational torture of extended acting appointments for those viewed with suspicion. In all of this, there is the obsessive vehemence of the thwarted to have their way, by means mainly foul. The petty, the mean and the vindictive have all been on full display. It was just a matter of time before full-blown torture carved out an altar for uncooperative victims. When does it stop? More pointedly, to what lengths can torture be extended utilizing guises, official or otherwise?
How much of a problem does it become to subject opponents to the torture of extra security at the airport? To the fear of a plant and the ensuing, ineradicable stigma? Of stop and search, and searches without warrants, and all accompanied by the same fear of a plant? What about the below the radar torture of holding people for extended periods? How far is it to travel to the point of guilty until proven innocent? In another life, I have watched as very intelligent individuals repeatedly endeavoured to rationalize the irrational. In Guyana, where anything and everything can be possible, today’s farfetched fears can be tomorrow’s realities, with appropriate justification for good measure.
I close by saying it is obvious that, when looked at closely, this boy is but a physical manifestation of what has been inflicted in different ways on others. It is why all citizens must take a stand today, so they can guard against new travesties in the future.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
