GHRA renews call for international probe into Guyana Police Force

(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) on Tuesday renewed its call for an independent international investigation into the Guyana Police Force, arguing that allegations of sexual assault against Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh have exposed what it described as longstanding weaknesses in the Force’s accountability mechanisms.

In a strongly worded statement, the Association criticised the response of Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Waldron to the allegations involving Karimbaksh, questioning why the senior police officer has not been placed on leave or otherwise removed from operational duties pending the outcome of an investigation.

The GHRA said the explanation that Karimbaksh cannot be sent on leave because he has not been charged, and that he cannot be relieved of his duties because the Police Service Commission (PSC) has not been appointed, raises further questions about accountability.