Dear Editor,
The Colwyn Harding Support Group would like to register its deep concern that notwithstanding the submission to the Director of Public Prosecution of two independent medical reports which revealed that Mr Harding‘s injuries were consistent with his allegations that a foreign object was inserted into his rectum, that the perpetrator was not charged under the Sexual Offences Act. These medical reports were issued following independent medical examinations conducted by prominent surgeons in Guyana and Jamaica.
The CHSG is further outraged that after taking six months to institute charges against the police officers who beat and tortured Colwyn Harding, the state failed to inform Colwyn Harding, the complainant in this matter, his mother and lawyer about the date, time and court in which his long awaited case would be heard.
We view this failure to give adequate notification to the complainant in question as one that sets a bad precedent for the rest of the court hearings on the part of the state, DPP’s Office and the Guyana Police Force. In direct contrast to Colwyn Harding, the two police officers, Constables Devin Singh and Rosel Tilbury-Douglas, were notified and both present in court being given preferential access to the court compound through an entrance normally used by court officials and magistrates. We also note the active role played by police and officers at the court in shielding Singh and Tilbury-Douglas from the press.
The CHSG is concerned that justice must not only be done but seen to be done and what we have here is a situation where the police, representing the state are prosecuting members of their own police force. In view of this we are calling on the DPP to immediately appoint one of its competent lawyers to prosecute this case so as to avert any possibility of conflict of interest in this matter of police prosecuting police. It is shocking for us as non-lawyers that the Government of Guyana which should be vested with the protection of its citizens against cruel and inhuman punishment by police officers seems to be placing little emphasis and resources into a strong and robust defence of one of its citizens who was beaten and sodomized with a condom-covered baton on November 15, 2013, and beaten by police constable Singh and policewoman Rosel Tilbury-Douglas. As a result Mr Harding was hospitalized for a total of 33 days at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for an incarcerated inguinal hernia, which saw the removal of several lengths of his bowel that were found to be gangrenous and when the re-joining of his intestines caused complications and a septic condition in his abdomen, a second surgery had to be performed.
The CHSG will continue to advocate, demand and fight for full justice for Colwyn Harding and other victims of police brutality. We will remain vigilant and continue to monitor this criminal case closely to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done.
Yours faithfully,
Namela Henry
Mellissa Ifill
Joy Marcus
Elton McRae
Kojo McPherson
Roxanne Myers
Sherlina Nageer
Danuta Radzik
Charlene Wilkinson