A delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) conducted a trainer of trainers’ course on human rights for members of the Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force from October 26-30.
According to a Police press release, the courses were offered on Inter-national Law and Inter-national Human Rights Law; Law Enforcement Functions and Respon-sibilities; Law Enforce-ment Powers, Command, Control and Accountability; and Situations of Armed Conflict to 24 participants, 14 of whom were from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the remaining ten from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
During the sessions, the participants benefitted from case studies in view of Guyana’s standpoint and applied the local and international laws and best practices.
In addition to which, the release said it was an historic event as for the first time, both branches of the military were trained jointly on the International Rules and Standards for Policing by the ICRC.
Prior to conducting the training, the delegation from the ICRC noted during its visits to Guyana preceding the national and regional elections, it had the opportunity to observe the local joint services protocols and standard operating procedures in regards to human rights. During that period, the release said the delegation “was highly impressed and convinced that both services during the internal security posture and separate activities, do have correct mechanism established to observe and respect human rights.”
However, the delegation noted the shortage of trainers since most of the trainers were either retired or deceased.
The GPF extended its gratitude to the ICRC and the Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS); in particular Alexandra, Ortiz, president ICRC; Teni Housty, president GRCS; and Dorothy Fraser, director GRCS.
