Dear Editor,
On March 2, tragedy struck. A police rank was caught on video beating at least three men who appeared to be trying to protect a woman and her child protesting a Geology and Mines Commission operation in Region Nine, Marudi. And the police resorted to beating and repressive measures.
The Marudi video which was posted on YouTube led to public outrage. We in Guyana are no stranger to such police brutality against people demanding their due − bread and butter. The rule of law is broken by those who should protect our people, and justice itself is held in pawn. This government generally does respect the human rights of its citizens; however, serious problems remain in several Amerindian areas.
The police continued to commit extrajudicial killings, and police abuse of suspects continued to be a problem. The authorities took some steps to investigate abuses, but in general, the police have continued to commit abuses with impunity in the mining areas. The Marudi incident was not the only one in which civilians have been harassed and beaten. A rising tide of anger is sweeping Guyana over this incident.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
