Have you lost a screw?

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Neville Beckord's narrow and uninformed piece in The Gleaner asks what he perceives to be the big question: Why berate the security forces? Then the author goes on to look forward to the day when human rights groups are non-existent.

There are good police officers, this is the sentiments of members of Tivoli Gardens who were on the receiving end of the security forces incursion. A woman from Tivoli Gardens even commented that "the police them tend to be harsh but summa di soldier dem nice". This shows an inclination to be fair, but Mr Beckford, on to your big question.

When individuals complain of having their sons and nephews shot execution style by members of the security forces, whether you like it or not, the actions of the security forces must come under scrutiny. When there are individuals who were last seen in the company of the security forces and who are now 'missing', and no police officer from the top ranks to the arresting officer can give account, Mr Beckford, the actions of the security forces must come under scrutiny! We cannot, and must not pretend that these unfortunate events do not happen.

Seventy-odd people were shot and killed during the Tivoli incursion and still no investigation or review. Nowhere else in the world would this occur. We do not have a commission of inquiry but some rudely suggest that human rights groups and concerned citizens must shut up. He must have lost a screw!

Johnathan Walker

johnnie.walker@yahoo.com

Via Go-Jamaica