Human Rights body calls for widescale probe of Guyana Police Force

The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has restated calls for a full-fledge investigation into the operations of the Guyana Police Force, pointing out that a number of issues that have come to light in recent years warrant a thorough investigation into the law enforcement agency.

In a statement overnight, the organisation said the latest scandal involving Deputy Commissioner of Police, Faizal Karimbaksh, who is facing rape allegations, is another reason for the Force to be placed under the microscope.

The Organization said the recent explanation given by Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, in relation to disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Karimbaksh is laughable.

The Minister had stated that while she believes the Deputy Commissioner should be sent on administrative leave, the Police Service Commission is still to be reconstituted.

But the Human Rights Association is reminding the Minister that it is the President that is responsible for the appointment of the Police Service Commission.

“Who is responsible for appointing the Police Service Commission? The President of Guyana. Is the Minister calling on the President to appoint the Commission? No, she is going to consult the Commissioner of Police – whose continued occupancy in this post can be terminated at any time because he is beyond retirement age,” the Organisation said.

The GHRA said ten days after the allegations were made no official statement was made over the investigative process to be adopted, other than a special investigation team is probing the claims.

“The Karimbaksh case also prompts a reminder of the public outrage in November 2021when a teen-aged girl committed suicide two hours after her claims of rape were investigated by officers at Cove & John Police station. The suicide was then used to justify closing any further official investigation into her rape claim. The culture of the current ruling party embraces similar bizarre directives to protect ‘their own’ in too many instances of sexual assault,” the GHRA said.

The GHRA said while it also welcomes the statement of the Women & Gender Rights Commission calling for a genuine investigation of the Karimbaksh allegations, it remains hopeful that it will prompt similar calls from the female MPs of the ruling party, particularly the Minister of Human Services, who is primarily responsible for promoting the sexual safety of women.

The Association said longstanding issues of corruption and money laundering within the Police Force must all be addressed.

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