Minister Singh should do the right thing and submit to the justice system

FEBRUARY 27, 2014 

http://www.stabroeknews.com/20...bmit-justice-system/

Dear Editor,

It has been reported that Minister Ashni Singh was under the influence of liquor when he got into the accident last Sunday night. It is also reported that so far, no charges have been laid and that friends and well-wishers of the Minister are negotiating compensation for the victims. It is reported that the Attorney General has found private time to get involved in the compensation discussions.

It must be difficult to be a police officer now. On the one hand Minister Rohee complains about police inaction, but somehow the police seem to believe that big ones have special procedures. Minister Rohee shouted this is a police matter, but one wonders if the PPP is not concerned about the well-being of their bright young members as the future of the party. Surely Minister Rohee would like to have the confidence that none of the PPP members would get themselves involved in accidents or cause harm to themselves or to others.

Minister Rohee said he was against marijuana. Very rarely does marijuana consumption cause the problems that alcohol consumption does. Surely Minister Rohee and Minister Singh and the Attorney General and their supporters and well-wishers must be concerned that the inability of the justice system to deal with alcohol related offences is going to further destroy any efforts made to reverse the destruction caused by alcohol consumption in Guyana.

But people complain about police inaction on noise nuisance and illegal bars and rum shops.  It must be difficult for the police because they know also know that all are not equal before the law and they must be fed up with that kind of hypocrisy. Some police themselves have been involved in drunken incidents and have not faced the courts.

Those of us who wish Minister Singh well should ensure that he does the right thing in submitting to the justice system (victim compensation aside).

Too many lives in Guyana across race, class, economic, educational and social backgrounds have been destroyed by alcohol consumption – through accidents, violence, ill health. Too many lives in Guyana have been ruined because the justice system has failed in ensuring perpetrators of alcohol related offences face the consequences of their behaviour.

Yours faithfully,
Vidyaratha Kissoon