Dear Editor,
When one believe Guyana cannot get any lower now in addition to the deep rooted corruption and the ‘friendism’, cronyism and nepotism, we have a female, because of a small issue re payment for a 10 days’ worker placed in the lock up at the Springlands Police Station and stripped naked. This needs to be thoroughly investigated. I would like to hear the voices of the Women’s Progressive Organisation and Red Thread etc. Those involved should be fired and the woman compensated. Guyana needs to hang its head in shame.
One of the most important thing in a country is “Justice”. It would seem however that none of the parties have paid attention to the present system which militates against the poor who cannot afford a lawyer and even bail on many occasions. As a consequence, they are remanded for, in many instances, simple offenses and even traffic offences. One is arrested, let’s say for careless driving. And, by the way, no matter how small is the breach one is not charged for careless but dangerous driving. Instead of taking the particulars and summonsing the driver, the police officer demands that the driver drive to the police station even if an entire family is in the vehicle.
The police takes his time and turns up to the station sometimes hours after. The driver is placed on let’s say $20,000 dollars bail. If he can’t raise the $20,000 he is placed in a cell. Until Court day. Let’s say he manages to get the $20,000; he is released and told to appear at a certain date at the Court. He appears, as he is a decent citizen, and pleads not guilty. The Magistrate then places the gentleman on $30,000 bail so he has to find $30,000 and if he cannot he is remanded. Now he can’t get back the $20,000 so that he only has to find an additional $10,000.
I know of one case where there was a minor accident. No one was injured. It was a simple oversight. The driver actually forgot to renew his fitness and road license. The magistrate placed him on $20,000 for each offense – $40,000. Why not release persons on their own recognizance? Now the person is on station bail and turns up in court. He does the right thing, he turned up. Why place an additional burden on the poor? How many are in the lock up for simple offenses just because they are poor? We really need to remedy this situation. How many are in jail because they cannot afford the $20,000 fine? Can we not substitute non-monetary punishment for simple offenses?
A person is locked up for minor offenses because he is poor then he loses his job. Can we not be a more caring society? It seems to be poor is a serious crime. None of these parties seem to care as after being years in office they have not addressed so many things that affect the small man. If I were in a position one of the first thing I would do is have a thorough analysis of the justice system to stop the abuse of our people.
Sincerely,
Rajendra Bisessar
Presidential Candidate
United Democratic Front
BSc Sociology LLB
