Guyana: Further information: Tortured Guyanese man may face unfair trial
A 20-year-old man held incommunicado at a police station in Guyana has been released without charge, and a 15-year-old boy receiving hospital treatment for torture suffered in police custody in the same case is no longer a suspect. However, another man, Deonarine Rafick, may face an unfair trial after being tortured in order to force him to sign a confession.
Further information on UA: 298/09 Index: AMR 35/ 003/2009 Guyana Date: 06 November 2009
URGENT ACTION
TORTURED GUYANESE MAN MAY FACE UNFAIR TRIAL
A 20-year-old man held incommunicado at a police station in Guyana has been released without
charge, and a 15-year-old boy receiving hospital treatment for torture suffered in police custody
in the same case is no longer a suspect. However, another man, Deonarine Rafick, may face an
unfair trial after being tortured in order to force him to sign a confession.
Nouravie Wilfred, aged 20, was released without charge on the evening of 3 November. He had been arrested in
connection with the murder of former local government official Ramenauth Bisram. A 15-year-old boy (name known
to Amnesty International), arrested in connection with the same murder, is still receiving hospital treatment, though
his condition is improving. His lawyer has been told that he is no longer a suspect in the case, and he is no longer
under police guard. Guyana's Commissioner of Police has publicly stated that formal charges have yet to be made
against two police officers in relation to the torture against the 15 year-old boy as the police want to wait until the
boy is well enough to observe an identity parade.
Deonarine Rafick remains in prison, after he was forced to confess to the murder of Ramenauth Bisram while being
tortured in police custody. According to his testimony, he was struck by a piece of wood on his back, legs, buttocks,
face and scalp; and the inside of his mouth was burnt with cigarettes. He has apparently been examined by a doctor
from Georgetown Public Hospital but it is unclear whether he is receiving all the treatment he needs.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English or your own language:
calling for assurances that the evidence used to charge Deonarine Rafick with murder was not solely based on a
confession obtained by torture; and that any legal proceedings he faces meet international fair trial standards;
urging the authorities to ensure that Deonarine Rafick receives immediate and regular access to all the medical
treatment he needs;
calling for a full, prompt and impartial investigation into the allegations of torture and the circumstances
surrounding the detention of Deonarine Rafick, Nouravie Wilfred and the 15 year-old boy, including the police’s
failure to bring them before a court after 72 hours in custody and refusing access to family, lawyers and medical
treatment for several days, with the results made public and those responsible brought to justice.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 18 DECEMBER 2009 TO:
Minister of Home Affairs
Hon. Clement Rohee
Ministry of Home Affairs
Brickdam
Stabroek
Georgetown, Guyana
Fax: + 592 227 4806
Email: homemin@guyana.net.gy
Salutation: Dear Minister
Director of Public Prosecutions
Shalimar Ali-Hack
1, Seawall Flat
Georgetown, Guyana
Fax: +592 226 9255
Email: chambers@guyana.net.gy
Salutation: Dear Director of
Prosecutions
And copies to:
Two local newspapers in Guyana
Kaieteur News
Email: kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
Stabroek News
Email: stabroeknews@hotmail.com
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above
date. This is the first update of UA 298/09 (AMR 35/002/2009). Further information:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR35/002/2009/en
Date: 06 November 2009
URGENT ACTION
TORTURED GUYANESE MAN MAY FACE UNFAIR TRIAL
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Further information on UA: 298/09 Index: AMR 35/003/2009 Issue Date: 6 November 2009