‘Gov’t took credible steps to punish human rights abusers’ – U.S. Human Rights report

The Guyana Government took credible steps to “identify and punish officials” who committed human rights abuses, according to the United States Department of State 2024 Human Rights report.

The report, which was released on Wednesday, revealed that, “There were reports the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings during the year.”

According to the U.S. government report, in July last year, police shot and killed Gordon Sancho. Police officials alleged Sancho shot at them, forcing them to return fire, which killed Sancho.

As it relates to disappearance and abduction, the report concluded that there were no reports of “enforced disappearances by or on behalf of government authorities.”

The report, however, did find cases of arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention, but noted that the government adhered to the provisions of the constitution, which allow citizens to challenge the lawfulness of their arrest or detention in court.

“Lengthy pretrial detention was a problem, due primarily to judicial inefficiency, staff shortages, and cumbersome legal procedures. Pretrial detainees accounted for 41 percent of the prison population. The average length of pretrial detention was three years for those awaiting trial at a Magistrates’ Court or the High Court. This often exceeded the maximum possible sentence for the crime for which individuals were charged,” the report noted.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department also found that there were no “credible reports” of the government hiring persons involved in torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

It was also reported that the government cooperated with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration, and other humanitarian organizations in providing protection and assistance to migrants and other populations in need of protection.

Additionally, the report highlighted that the government also respected the constitutional right of persons for freedom of expression, including the press and other media.

“Independent news media were active and expressed a wide variety of views. Some members of the media reported they faced discrimination and hostile personal verbal attacks in response to public inquiries,” the report noted.