We are now holding the Commissioner of Police personally responsible as head of the Police Force for Human Rights violation by his police officers. We are doing so not because we have a personal vendetta against Commissioner Gerard Waye-Hive, but in fact because we want him to act to protect civilians rather than police officers who are guilty of human right abuses. This publication has reported on numerous occasions about human rights violations by the police force, so much so that certain people have criticized the Editor for upholding the rights of criminals. This will not deter us from carrying on with what we believe is right and just under the law. The Constitution of Seychelles provides that “you are innocent until proven guilty.” We have here a typical example of a case where certain members of the Police Force have violated the rights of an innocent individual. And this is not the first time these same police officers have taken part in such an outrage – both have done it before and for reasons best known to the Commissioner these guys are still doing what they do best, beating up suspects.
According to information that we have received, on Monday 18th August at around 10am Mr. Karim Sopha was arrested and taken to the Beau Vallon Police Station. There were several police officers present at the Police Station at the time. Whilst still in handcuff, Karim Sopha was taken upstairs, where Ronny Julienne and Marcus Labiche proceeded to physically assault him. They did it with a vigour and style, which they must have crafted and practiced on other victims over the years. With Mr. Sopha’s hands handcuffed behind his back, the two protagonists, Ronny Julienne and Marcus Labiche went about their dirty business with a sneer on their faces. Ronny Julienne used his foot to press down on the handcuff causing excruciating pain to Mr. Sopha, which brought him to the floor. Ronny Julienne and Marcus Labiche then proceeded to inflict more pain through several blows to his body, including hard blows in the middle of his head and neck. They twisted the neck of Mr. Sopha, to the point where it was dislocated. At one point Ronny Julienne pressed a gun to the head of Mr. Sopha and threatened to blow his head off. As irony would have it Karim Sopha was released the following day, at around 11am without charge, innocent in spite of everything he was being accused of.
All this was taking place at a time when members of the National Assembly, as well as staff from the Attorney-General’s office, learnt more about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the importance of a regional human rights system. They did so in a one-day workshop hosted by the NCC at its Bel Eau headquarters recently. This situation gives credence to the belief that in Seychelles when the right hand is doing something the left hand is doing something totally different. It goes to show that there is absolutely no cohesion in the system. Mr. President we are sorry to trouble you again, Sir. But you are the man with the mandate - with the two big black jeeps - the new BMW - the body guards - the big salary - the big perks and the rich Arab friends. Please! Please!! Please!!! Mr. Michel in your capacity as President of this country, can you look into this little matter of police brutality, which your Commissioner of Police does not seem to be able to keep under control. We beg of you Mr. President. We thank you in advance, Sir!!!