Dear Editor,
In every society, including Guyana, an accused is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But this principle does not seem to hold in Guyana when it comes to SOCU and SARU as relating to recent acts pertaining to Pradoville 2 and other matters. SOCU and SARU prejudice public opinion by making biased pronouncements regarding the accused. They prejudge their cases. SOCU and SARU act as a body of laws unto themselves; they are not accountable to anyone or any institution. They were investigators, police, prosecutors, juries, judges and executioners all in one when they arrested PPP opposition figures, prosecuting and judging the accused (as well as convicting them).
As one educated in constitutional law, I can say without any fear of contradiction that the role of the police is to investigate allegations or suspicious acts. Their job is not to prosecute or judge the accused. If they find evidence of wrongdoing, their job is to send the file to the DPP or prosecutors for directives or actions. Instead, the SOCU agents or police have been making statements that are not in consonance with their remit or responsibilities.
SOCU and SARU agents have stated in the media that former PPP ministers and affiliates were involved in theft, and that they stole billions of dollars every year. Only the court can make such a determination, not the police or SOCU or SARU, or PNC or AFC, or Nagamootoo or Ramjattan, or Granger or David Hinds, or Ogunseye or Eric Phillips.
The accused should have been given due process. They are entitled to fairness and equity before the court. PPP affiliates have so far been primarily targeted for investigation and questioning. PNC affiliates aren’t quizzed. Over the last 21 months, affiliates of this PNC/WPA/AFC coalition have been accused of corruption – allegations supported with solid, incontrovertible evidence, yet not one of the accused who is affiliated with this coalition has been arrested or investigated. It is fair to ask when the police would quiz and/or arrest those PNC affiliates who looted the state during the 28 years of ethnic dictatorship. When will the police or SOCU investigate and arrest those who had beaten and robbed Indians? Or prosecute those who were involved in arson? And/or those who rigged elections? And/or those who had pilfered from the state during PNC rule?
There are several individuals currently in the coalition to rob the state of billions under the PNC, and they had been involved in political murders. Not one of them has been quizzed or arrested.
The Police, SARU and SOCU have to prove their case in a court of law and in the public domain. Their actions are politically motivated, vindictive and racist. They need to stop trying opposition figures, or anyone in the court of public opinion! Let the courts judge the accused after perusing solid evidence. The police must stop making pronouncements which are not in keeping with their police duties.
Yours truly,
Dr Vishnu Bisram
