…names Christopher Jones, Cecil Sampat
In its recently released 2020 Report on Human Rights practices in Guyana, the United States (U.S.) Department of State has pointed out several cases of lack of respect for a person’s integrity in Guyana on the part of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The report which includes Guyana and other countries spoke specifically to individuals like Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones and the late civilian Cecil Sampat.
As it relates to Jones, the U.S. State Department acknowledged that the GPF was involved in an arbitrary arrest in preventing the Member of Parliament (MP) from his legal rights. “In August police arrested Christopher Jones, a senior member of the Opposition, and searched his home, although Jones had a court-issued injunction preventing the search,” the report stated.
Not long after the incident, Jones said that his 7-year-old daughter had to begin seeing a psychologist after 49 policemen surrounded his home and power to his community was cut.
The former Director of Sports was arrested on August 21, 2020 following a stand-off at his Tucville home over barber equipment. Jones’ arrest occurred just after midnight and he was taken to the Diamond Police lock-up on allegations of simple larceny.
Jones’ lawyer has since indicated that he will sue State, including the GPF, for wrongful arrest and seizure of property that belongs to him as rightfully applied for under the Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) programme.
Meanwhile, the report also shone a spotlight on the shooting to death of unarmed 39-year-old man, Cecil Sampat.
“There were reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killing. In July police shot and killed Cecil Sampat, an unarmed civilian. According to police, Sampat was one of three passengers in a car who opened fire on the police. No gun was found in Sampat’s vehicle, however, nor was there gunshot residue on Sampat or the other passengers. In August the government charged the police officers who allegedly shot and killed Sampat,” the report outlined.
Added to this, the report stated that there were allegations that prison officials mistreated inmates; that prison and jail conditions — particularly in police holding cells — were reportedly harsh and potentially life threatening and criminal detainees do not always have prompt access to a lawyer of their choice and to family members.
There was also mention that delays and inefficiencies undermined judicial due process through shortages of trained court personnel, postponements at the request of the defense or prosecution, occasional allegations of bribery, poor tracking of cases, and police slowness in preparing cases for trial caused delays.
