CAT/C/GUY/CO/1
page 4
12.
The Committee has noted the unacceptable detention conditions prevailing in Guyana, in
particular in the Georgetown and Mazaruni prisons. The most widespread problems are
overcrowding, poor hygienic and physical conditions, as well as lack of human, material and
financial resources.
The State party should take immediate steps to reduce overcrowding in prisons by
improving the infrastructure and hygienic conditions and making available the
necessary material, human and budgetary resources to ensure that the conditions of
detention in the country are in conformity with minimum international standards.
The State party is encouraged to seek and/or devote technical assistance for this
purpose.
13.
The disciplinary measures used in the treatment of prisoners are a matter of concern for
the Committee, in particular section 37 of the Prison Act, 1998, which allows whipping, flogging
and reduction of diet (arts. 2 and 11).
While taking note of the statement of the representative of the State party that these
disciplinary measures have not been used, the State party should review all legal
provisions which authorize these practices with a view to abolishing them as a
matter of priority. The State party is reminded that treatment of prisoners should
guarantee full respect for the dignity and human rights of all prisoners in
conformity with the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
14.
The Committee is concerned at allegations that children (ages 10-16) are not always
separated from adults while on remand and at the dire conditions of detention (art. 11).
The State party should adopt urgent measures to ensure that children (ages 10-16)
are always separated from adults while on remand. The State party should also
take measures to bring the conditions of detention in conformity with the
United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice
(The Beijing Rules), the United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile
Delinquency (The Riyadh Guidelines) and the United Nations Rules for the
Protection of Juveniles Deprived of Their Liberty.
15.
The Committee is particularly concerned about reports of widespread police brutality, the
use of force and firearms by the police, as well as the lack of accountability of the Guyana Police
Force. While the Committee welcomes the additional information provided by the representative
of the State party with respect to the cases of two members of the police who had been charged
and sentenced for abuses, it regrets the absence of data on enquiries, cases and convictions
related to abuses by the police (arts. 11 and 12).
The State party should:
(a)
Ensure that the circumstances under which police officers are
authorized to use force and firearms, are exceptional and clearly defined, and that
members of the Guyana Police Force are adequately trained on the appropriate use
of force and firearms in accordance with international standards, including the
Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials;