Headlines:
| Guyanese Opposition calls for enquiry into police killings |
|
|
| Tuesday, 17 November 2009 | |
|
Guyana's
opposition parties have advanced their cause for an international enquiry by compiling
a dossier of over 400 alleged extra-judicial and other killings between 1993
and this year. They have presented what they consider compelling information to diplomats based in Georgetown and other key organisations. The country's six opposition parties are optimistic that the 157 page document will persuade the international community to pressure Guyana into holding a full-fledged independent enquiry. Guyana's opposition wants an international probe because they say it will help expose torture, murders, human rights violations and alleged government maladministration. The Opposition says its cause was helped by evidence given during a witness tampering trial of former New York lawyer Robert Sinals for convicted Guyanese drug trafficker Roger Khan. Khan is serving a 15 year jail sentence in the US. Guyanese Opposition accused government officials in the executive, security and intelligence branches of the state under the governing People's Progressive Party of collaborating with allies of organized crime and torture. These are allegations that the government repeatedly denied. The Guyanese government is not taking the Opposition's allegations sitting down. President Jagdeo and his administration have called on the Opposition to also address their own alleged involvement with heavily armed criminal gangs that killed and robbed people. The Opposition has stated its willingness to face the enquiry. |