Freed treason accused, Mark Benschop, and Acting General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Norris Witter, yesterday condemned what they alleged were human rights violations meted out to them and voiced various other concerns.

The GTUC held a press conference, where Benschop was present, followed by a 45 minute picketing exercise outside the Home Affairs Ministry, Brickdam.

The duo, along with some supporters, then made their way to Stabroek Market where they again publicly voiced their concerns using a loud speaker.

A press statement said that the GTUC condemns human rights violations against Lincoln Lewis, Witter and Benschop.

According to the statement, the GTUC holds the Guyana Police Force, Commissioner Henry Greene, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, Head of the Joint Services and President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, accountable to the people of this land, for this (alleged) abuse of power and violation of human rights and dignity which these very public figures, engaged in peaceful protest, were made to endure at the hands of a misguided Police Force.

According to the release, the state of the Brickdam lock- ups have been brought to the fore of this nation before, and whereas the Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee declared that it was not intended to be a five star hotel.

“GTUC reminds him that it is supposed to be temporary housing for human beings with constitutional rights. GTUC reminds Minister Rohee and President Jagdeo that these citizens of Guyana need no less treatment than their counterparts in Barbados. This is a matter that the GTUC will be following up more intensely locally and internationally.”

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force responded to articles in the Kaieteur News as well as the Guyana Times yesterday with regard to the incarceration of the trio.

According to the police, the Guyana Times article captioned “Benschop, Lewis, Witter released on bail,” has Benschop saying that he was threatened by Police Commissioner Henry Greene, and has brought the matter to the attention of the International Labour Organisation.

“The Guyana Police Force wishes to state that it is not aware of any conversation between the Commissioner of Police and Mark Benschop, nor any threat made publicly or privately to Mark Benschop. The Police Force has taken cognisance of the libellous statement being made to the media,” a press release from the police stated.

And among statements in the Kaieteur News attributed to the General Secretary of the Caribbean Congress of Labour, Lincoln Lewis, is one stating that he (Lincoln Lewis) noted that the Commissioner (of Police) had hinted to the fact that when protests are ongoing, guns may ‘accidentally’ be fired.

However, the Guyana Police Force states categorically that this is a blatant lie, and at no time and under no circumstances did the Commissioner of Police make such a remark.

“The Force does not have nor never had any such intention. The Police Force holds the view that this is an attempt to provoke the Force into a particular line of action; however, the police will abide by the law.”

On Thursday, Benschop, Witter and Lewis were placed on $10,000 bail each and were allowed to leave the Brickdam Police Station where they were being held since around midday Wednesday.

The trio was arrested for disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest during an illegal protest outside the office of the Commissioner of Police, Eve Leary.

This newspaper understands they are expected to appear in court next week.