A letter addressed to Mr Michael Kingston, Deputy Police Commissioner, from the Federative Republic of Brazil Federal Police Department Liaison Office in Guyana, states in part that the Brazillian authorities “have been receiving phone calls describing sexual crimes committed by Guyana Police Force officers against Brazilian and Venezuelan women at checkpoints between Puruni Landing and Bartica (Itaballi), and between Lethem and Georgetown (Mabura Hills).” The letter goes on to state that the claims of sexual favors being demanded by Guyanese police officers can also be heard “from “…different sources with some informers and minibus drivers.” The letter ends with a request for “urgent steps to ascertain the information contained herein since the dignity of all women, even those illegally in the country, cannot be under threat by those who have a duty to protect them from any and all violence.”
This report comes along at the same time as a story out of Lethem in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region 9) has emerged with an interview from a person who wishes to remain anonymous, claiming that a Venezuelan girl who was employed in a local Chinese store, was drugged and raped at a local hotel. She subsequently returned to Venezuela after the suspect was released from police custody.
Guyana Graphic tried contacting Mr. Michael Kingston, Deputy Police Commissioner, Head of Crime Investigation Department for a response but could not reach him.
