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By
Wendy Campbell
Amnesty International (AI) says there have been reports of
police harassment of witnesses. As a result, the group has
recommended that witnesses and/or relatives should be protected
from intimidation or violence and that any allegations of
harassment should be thoroughly investigated and those responsible
brought to justice.
The claim was made in an 18-page report released yesterday
by AI.
AI said where such alleged offences amount to a criminal act,
individual officers should be brought to justice in processes
which meet international standards for fair trial.
“Police
officers suspected of involvement in human rights violations
should be immediately suspended pending the outcome of the
investigations,” the report said.
A source close to the Ministry of National Security said the
Government has taken steps to strengthen the witness protection
programme.
At present, the source added, the ministry is working on the
development of regulations for the justice protection act,
which, when completed, will facilitate a more effective and
efficient functioning protection programme.
AI also recommended that the role played by coroner’s
inquests, in establishing the facts behind cases of deaths
of persons in custody or in fatal shootings, and combating
any perception of police impunity should be strengthened and
should comply with international human rights standards.
“Coroner’s
inquests should therefore be made mandatory for all deaths
in custody and deaths by police shooting, and should be carried
out without unreasonable delay,” AI said.
“They
should have the power to obtain all information necessary,
including the authority to oblige relevant officials and other
witnesses to appear and testify and to compel the production
of evidence. Families of the deceased and their legal representatives
should be entitled to have access to all information relevant
to the case, to present evidence and to examine witnesses,”
the report continued.
It added that guidelines for the use of force and firearms
should conform to the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force
and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.
The standards should be reflected in written policies, training
manuals and courses, and in operational briefings.
All incidents of use of weapons or firearms, whether intentional
or not and whether or not they result in injury, should be
immediately recorded and should be subject to scrutiny by
an internal and/or an external oversight body, AI added.
The report also stated: All allegations of misuse of force
or firearms should also be investigated promptly, thoroughly,
impartially and independently, the report said.
Such investigations should also be conducted by an impartial
internal investigation unit and/or an external investigation
unit, according to the seriousness of the incident.
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