AFC deems Rohee “useless” as of today

By Latoya Giles
Chairman of the Alliance for Change, Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes has made it clear that his party would not be cooperating with Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee as of today.
Hughes yesterday called for Head of State Donald Ramotar to step in and remove the Minister from his post immediately. His announcement was made at the party’s weekly press briefing.
Hughes described Rohee as a “masquerader” in the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Chairman said that in his party’s view, there is no Minister and the office is vacant. He said that they have noted that if the acting minister is confirmed, that would be some form of progress.
Hughes said that he hopes that the acting person has come to realize that the Ministry ought to be concerned about the deaths caused by the police. He said it was a move in the right direction, but it has come late. Hughes noted that the actions which are being taken now should be proactive and be quicker.
Hughes made the point of the need for the reorientation of the police force towards the protection of the human rights of its citizens. He said that it must be consistent with the United Nations standards as recommended. He noted that works with APNU have started and by next week he would be able to comment further.
Days after the fatal shooting at Linden the joint opposition immediately called for the minister to demit office. Three protestors were killed when the police allegedly opened fire during a march on July 18 at the Mackenzie Bridge. This was followed by a ‘No- confidence Motion’ which was passed in the National Assembly by the opposition. That motion was passed without government support.
The calls for his removal intensified after two youths were allegedly shot and killed by the police. Shaquille Grant, 17, was shot and killed allegedly by police after they swooped down on an Agricola yard on September 11.
Police in a press release on the day of the shooting had said that the ranks came under fire and they returned fire, fatally wounding Grant.
But residents disputed this version with an eyewitness claiming that the teenager was executed. The Director of Public Prosecutors later advised that the three officers involved in the shooting be charged. However, only one of the ranks was charged since the other two disappeared. Terrence Wallace was the only officer who appeared before the magistrate. The police have since issued wanted bulletins for Warren Blue and Jamal Lewis.
Last Friday, Dameon Belgrave, 21, was killed after police officers opened fire in a crowd at the White Castle Fish Shop, Hadfield Street, Werk-en-Rust.
At the time of the shooting, the police had said, they were trailing a car which was filled with teenagers.