Response to Guyana Chronicle Article: “There Must Be Accountability Wherever the Evidence Leads”
Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond, before you start talking about accountability and telling people that whoever is responsible must face the law, Minister Oneidge Walrond Must First Look in the Mirror and ask yourself some questions. It is easy to come out publicly and talk about accountability when a matter reaches the headlines and the entire country is talking about it. But the real question is: where was this same energy for accountability throughout your tenure as Minister of Home Affairs under the PPP Government?
The tragic death of 32-year-old Gavin Douglas, who died after being detained at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, is another painful reminder that something is seriously wrong when citizens cannot feel safe in the custody of the very institution that is supposed to protect them. His family deserves answers, and the people of Guyana deserve to know exactly what happened.
Minister Walrond, since the PPP Government returned to office, Guyanese have continued to raise concerns about the way the Guyana Police Force is operating. We know of the corruption, political interference, victimisation, excessive use of force and other misconduct. People must not feel that the Police Force is there to serve one political party or to protect those who are politically connected.
You must also answer the people about several high-profile cases that continue to raise questions across this country. What has happened with the investigations and the pursuit of justice in the murders of Adriana Young, Courtney Crum-Ewing, Joel Henry, Isaiah Henry, Orin Boston, Ricardo Fagundes, Haresh Singh, Jadon Sanichar and the tragic MV Barima disaster, among other cases? Families are still looking for answers.
And Minister, what happened to the matter involving your own son? That matter attracted public attention, but the people have not received clear answers or a satisfactory update. Has that matter simply disappeared? Why have we not heard the same level of public discussion and demand for accountability? You are telling Guyanese that accountability must follow wherever the evidence leads. Well, Minister, that principle must also apply when the matter concerns your own family. You cannot demand accountability from others while expecting the public to forget questions involving you.
There are also concerns surrounding allegations of rape and sexual assault reportedly made by a female junior rank against a senior police official, who is still on the job under your watch.
Minister Walrond, let us also talk about this controversial tint enforcement. You have seen the frustration it has caused among drivers and ordinary citizens. The heat in Guyana is unbearable, and driving around in a vehicle without proper tint is extremely uncomfortable. Yet ordinary people are being placed under pressure over tint regulations. The Government must understand that law enforcement should be reasonable, fair and applied equally. The law must not become another way of making life difficult for ordinary Guyanese.
As it relates to the unfortunate death of Gavin Douglas, I extend my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. A man has lost his life while in State custody, and this is a matter that must be treated with the utmost seriousness. His family deserves the truth. There must be an independent, impartial and transparent investigation, all evidence must be preserved, and anyone found responsible must face the full force of the law. Nobody must be above the law.
I want to remind the Guyanese people that we must not forget the unanswered questions, the injustices, the cases of victimisation and the failures of institutions that have affected ordinary citizens under this PPP Government. We cannot continue to accept one set of rules for the politically connected and another set for the ordinary man and woman in this country.
My fellow Guyanese, we must stand up for what is rightfully ours. We must speak out against injustice, demand transparency, defend our democracy and hold this Government accountable at every level.
Minister Oneidge Walrond, accountability must start at the top. You cannot preach accountability to the nation while avoiding questions about your own record. The people are watching, and the people deserve answers.
Pt. Ubraj Narine, JP, COA
Former Staff Sgt. (GDF), Mayor
City of Georgetown
