“You can’t return to something that never existed. If you’re starting from a foundation of lies, you can’t return to the foundation of lies,” he said.
Sometimes words or phrases are so commonplace that we lose the essence of what they mean. And I thought perhaps that my understanding of extrajudicial killings was misconstrued. After all, in an ever-changing world definitions can also change. The moral compass can be adjusted depending on the season and who sits in the seats of power. What were once deemed extrajudicial killings might now be considered sacrifices for the prosperity of the country or justice carried out by men in uniform. It could just be that only the gangs were killing the people and each other. Like the famous five prison escapees and Fineman and his gang. The ‘Phantom Squad’ could have just been a myth. What was once deemed unrighteous or wicked might suddenly be deemed sacred or good.
Skaka Blair was murdered in the early morning hours on April 6, 2002, by members of the Guyana Police Force. Was that not an extrajudicial killing?
Does denying that a problem exists or existed not leave room for rogue elements to think they can repeat these atrocities and not face any consequences? But did the offenders of the past face any consequences? Perhaps they did not because some believe that these killings never occurred. Lying about the past only leaves open wounds. Lying about the past puts us at risk to repeat the same. We are seeing a repeat of the same with killings within the last few months.
We continue to promote this idea of ‘One Guyana’. It may be an excellent initiative that can help our people unite, but are these just concepts on paper? Is it just feel-good activities like hosting concerts where artistes sing songs about unity and dances are performed, but there are no serious efforts to truly reach and unite the people?
In a US State Department report in 2002 it was reported that 15 Guyanese were killed by the Guyana Police Force by September of that year compared to 13 in the year 2000. It was also stated that the police shot and killed these people while they were either committing crimes or while attempting to arrest them. Some of the names listed in the report were Donna McKinnon, Junior ‘Drakes’ Stanton, Devon ‘Buckman’ Gonsalves, Shamshudeen ‘Spoon’ Mohammed, Rocky Anthony Brunoanish, Colin ‘Sadist’ Cummerbatch, John Bruce, Steve Grant, Adisena Houston, Azaad Bacchus, Shazaad Bacchus and Fadil Ally.
It is interesting that the president spoke about a foundation of lies when saying that extrajudicial killings never existed is a blatant lie. At this point this is not a ‘he seh, she seh’ story. There are records. There are graves. There are fatherless children. There are parents who still wonder why their sons met such ends. There are restless spirits whom we cannot blame for haunting this land.
Comments
They had to execute Ronald Waddell, and imprison Mark Benschop without trial because they spoke the truth.
Who are THEY that you are talking about. Just asking, i would love to know who they are. Thanks.
Phone Mark Benschop and ask him.