In a press release last week the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) stated that the upsurge in police shootings had highlighted the failure of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to enforce law and order by professional policing methods. It argued that since the elections in March the force had been tested and found wanting in the areas of crowd control, crime prevention and detection. "The GPF is overwhelmed by criminal and politically induced lawlessness" the release said. It continued that extra-judicial executions this year (eight at this stage) looked like being the highest since l997, another year of some political tension. It argued that the connecting factor between political lawlessness and eventual executions may be the wave of murderous attacks on shopkeepers, businessmen and private homes in Demerara and Berbice. Many police stations were severely depleted of staff for routine duties during the political unrest. "This was not lost on the criminally inclined".
Stabroek News
June 21, 2001
The GHRA called for policemen responsible for summary executions to be charged, for the clamour for more firearms to be resisted (they often end up in the hands of criminals) and for opposition activists to recognise the link between incitement and criminal lawlessness. This violence, it suggests, provokes executions. "Lamenting only the final act of a scenario, for which they are initially responsible, is both hypocritical and callous . Lawful protests and genuine grievances are being contaminated by political and racial agenda". The GHRA recalled too that last year the UN Human Rights Committee had recommended to the government that it establish an impartial body to investigate extra judicial killings and the excessive use of force.
Though one may not accept the entire argument it certainly contains some useful insights.
The GHRA concluded with a valuable suggestion. It said that a national policy on crime and public safety was required and proposed that a National Police Oversight Commission be established comprising the police force, specialist agencies and relevant civil society bodies to develop such a policy and monitor its implementation. This makes sense and should be seriously considered. Indeed this newspaper had earlier suggested that the dialogue between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Leader of the Opposition Desmond Hoyte could be expanded to include issues of this kind. The two leaders could appoint a commission to consider the pressing issues of crime and public safety and the ancillary issues of police recruitment, pay, training, transportation and so on. For many who now live in fear every night, feeling that they are virtually unprotected against armed incursions, this is a matter of the utmost priority. Rather than the government try to grapple with it alone why not involve other parties and civil society and senior members of the force to seek a lasting solution?
These are difficult times and innovative solutions must be sought. The GHRA's idea should be seriously considered.