Latest update May 10th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 26, 2014 Letters
Dear Editor,
GTUC calls on the Director of Public Prosecution to subpoena all medical records related to Colwyn Harding’s surgery at the state run institution and strongly condemns what appears to be a collaborative public relations stunt and attempt to cover up a crime committed by members of the law enforcement section of the State and involving various departments of the state.
GTUC supports the calls made by others for an independent enquiry into the events leading up to Harding’s hospitalisation and surgery and extends a call for further investigation of the state employed doctors and nurses involved in every aspect of his care.
The doctors’ disclosure of Harding’s medical condition does not negate the act of sexual torture at the hands of law enforcement officers. We must not be distracted or deterred from an independent inquiry that entails comprehensive medical review.
Society must also remember the evidence revealed in the U.S court of Law where then Minister of Health Leslie Ramsammy was accused of giving instructions to how to medically manage Ronald Waddell who was brutally gunned down by men serving the interest of Roger Khan.
Developments in the case of Colwyn Harding are taking on similar characteristics of the case of Haitian born U.S immigrant Abner Louima who also suffered sexual brutality committed by NYPD in 1997.
In an attempt to cover up the crime officers blamed Louima’s injuries on “abnormal homosexual activities” and denied allegations of police brutality.
In not so dissimilar consequences, both Harding and Louima required major surgical intervention.
Louima suffered severe internal damage to his colon and bladder and required three major surgeries.
In the case of Harding our medical doctors would like us to accept the coincidence of strangulated hernia and an alleged brutal act of sodomy.
The Louima case has become a poster used by Amnesty International in the campaign against torture.
GTUC also notes with concern the violations of privacy surrounding Harding’s medical records/ information which ought to be treated with confidentiality unless he permits public disclosure.
Further, Harding’s statement that the doctors did not offer him a diagnosis and that he seems not to be aware of, or fully understand what was done for him medically if as he claims, is also unacceptable.
Harding has the right as a patient to know what he is diagnosed with, the full and likely effects of the diagnosis, the management of same, the likely outcomes from medical /surgical intervention, his responsibility as a patient during care and after care, as well as likely future medical / surgical interventions / follow-ups. This information should be made available to him via documentation or verbally, automatically and also upon request.
The rights of this Guyanese citizen should not be further violated by our medical professionals, if in fact such violations did occur.
The revelation of a snag in the release of medical records hindering urgent action to care overseas creates concerns regarding a lack of transparency and the possibility of corrupting documentation. GTUC hopes this is not and warns the Ministry of Health to ensure that doctors and all medical professionals and administrators bear true witness to the case of Colwyn Harding.
The alleged act of sexual torture meted out to Colwyn Harding at the hands of the police begs the question how more barbarous can members of our Police Force be?
How much lower can Guyana sink when a law enforcement officer can viciously use a baton to sexually violate a young man in his charge, in the presence of senior members of the Police Force, and not face immediate charges for his depravity?
How much lower can we as a people sink when we fail to join forces across all divides and speak as one force, united and loud in abhorrence and condemnation of such immoral behaviours.
The alleged crime of the victim pales in comparison to the act allegedly perpetrated by this member of the Police Force. It is comparable only to the alleged tacit support of his colleagues who witnessed this debasement, those who choose to be blinded by what they perceive divides them from the victim, and those who laughed at his saga. They must examine themselves and we must also examine them for according to Amnesty International, “Torture degrades and brutalises both the victim and the torturer.
It corrupts any society that allows it.” In 1975 the United Nations issued a Human Rights Declaration against torture to protect persons from being subjected to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
These standards set for modern society are violated in Guyana.
This torturous act of sexual barbarity committed against Harding can be equated to the burning of the male external genitalia of 15 years old Twyon Thomas by Police stationed at Leonora.
These acts of police brutality are symptomatic of personal barbaric, depraved mindsets and a culture of torture of alleged criminals held in custody.
The sexual torture of Colwyn Harding demonstrates that society failed with the Twyon Thomas case to ensure that our law enforcement services never fail us in such ways again. We are singularly and collectively accountable.
This ugly act must never happen again and we as a community must ensure there is sufficient deterrent for such. The PPP government and their Police Force have one common denominator in Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee under whose watch these acts of torture and sexual depravity have raised there ugly heads.
We have seemingly not learnt from the 1997 U.S case of Abner Louima that made international headlines.
This ended in a settlement of US $8.75 million for the victim, a number of police reforms and the main perpetrator serving 30 years in jail. Can Harding receive justice or compensation under our system?
Will Harding be offered an apology or see efforts at police reform?
It is time for citizens of this country to say “enough is enough,” act in accordance and unity to stop the torture and sexual barbarism by some members of the PPP State run Police Force.
Torture is no substitution for acceptable, humane interrogation techniques and good policing.
Nor is it an excuse for any frustration our many brave policemen and women face struggling with an inefficient, under staffed, under equipped Police Force.
It is not their fault that the Guyana Police Force continues to suffer deprivation under successive PPP governments all failing to implement the Discipline Force Services Commission, institute an independent Police Service Commission, finance modern ballistic and investigative training, improved staffing, conditions of work and a high level of professionalism.
These conditions have led to demoralisation among ranks, where lawlessness, inefficiencies and ineffectiveness have become the norm for many.
If the moral decline we are seeing in the GPF is not stopped the Guyana Police Force can become a natural habitat to shelter or spawn these depraved officers and their barbarous behaviours.
GTUC is also cognisant of the perception and possibility of prejudice on several grounds particularly given the marginalisation, lack of respect and continuous violation of rights of certain members and groups in our society.
GTUC while recognizing the right of each accused to due process, holds the view that dismissing, transferring, and demoting officers to areas consider less attractive is no deterrent for officers who violate laws and human rights.
The perpetrators of such heinous crimes and those who cover these up must meet the full force of the law like any other law-breaker.
The punishment must suit the crime and also serve as a deterrent to those with like minds and intent.
Acts of sexual torture can now be added to the Human Rights violations, blatant disregard and transgressions of Law and Order under the Ramotar regime same as these latter became characteristic of the Jagdeo Regime.
Addressing these violations require a united parliamentary opposition employing every means in conjunction with an informed and active civic society prepared to say “no more.”
Together we must hold this government and successive governments accountable for creating conditions conducive to the pursuit and protection of Human Rights and dignity.
GTUC will be monitoring the response or lack of from the Office of the President, the State Police Force, The Minister of Health, Minister Rohee and all relevant state offices and officers as it relates to justice for Colwyn Harding.
Lincoln Lewis- General Secretary.
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