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| An animated logo against police brutality. Photo by: Detroit Coalition |
“Brutality to
an animal is cruelty to mankind - it is only the difference in the victim” says
Alphonse
de Lamartine, a famous French poet. This poet died at his age of 79 at 28th
February 1869 inspiring many people by his moral quote about brutality. Yesterday
15th March is marked as the International Day against Police Brutality. This
day is a focal day of solidarity against police brutality. Also this day is marked to
create and strengthen ties between groups that work directly or indirectly
against Authorities' brutality around the world. This year’s theme is – Alternatives to the
Police: A Celebration of Community Power.
Police brutality is the wanton use of excessive
force, usually physical, but potentially in the form of verbal attacks and
psychological intimidation, by a police officer. The International Day against
Police Brutality occurs on March 15. It first began in 1997 as an initiative of
the Montreal Collective Opposed to Police Brutality and the Black Flag group in
Switzerland. The date was initially chosen for convenience at 15th March
1997 which fell on a Saturday, although since the year 2000, it has often been
linked to an alleged incident in which two children, aged 11 and 12, was beaten
to death by the Swiss police. Widespread police brutality exists in many
countries including my country Maldives. There are several forms of police
misconduct around the world which include: false arrest, intimidation, racial
profiling, political repression, surveillance abuse, sexual abuse and police
corruption. As we are
marking the International day against Police brutality, I would highlight 8th
February 2012 as the worst day of torture by police in Maldives. Several people
were beaten badly very inhuman and degrading way by police after the military
coup brought to Maldives on 7th February 2012. The new commissioner
of police of Maldives Police Service, Mr. Abdulla Riyaz vowed to “make the
police an institution that people fear” since President Dr. Mohamed Waheed
Hassan Manik appointed him the police commissioner on 9 February. Riyaz was one
of the leaders of the coup which ousted Former President Nasheed at 7th
February 2012. Mr. Riyaz has accusations of involvement in cruel torture,
inhuman and degrading punishment when he was in a senior post manager of
Maldivian prisons under the former regime of dictator Gayyoom. Due to this Maldives’ first democratically elected
President, President Mohamed Nasheed has recently call the new Police Commissioner
of Maldives to make the institution which would protect and serve the citizens
of Maldives rather than making the institution an institution which people
fear. Today there are several communities, groups and organizations
which criticize and works against police brutality across the world. These groups often stress the independent
citizen review boards and commissions using methods of ensuring accountability
for police actions. In Maldives under the Police Act, which was passed by the
Parliament on 5 August 2008, prescribes an independent Police Integrity
Commission (PIC) to investigate complaints brought against the employees of the
Maldives Police Services plus to minimize and bring an end to corruption,
excessive use of force and other offenses by the police in carrying out their
duties and functions. In the United Kingdom, an independent organization known
as the Independent Police Complaints Commission investigates reports of police
misconduct. They automatically investigate any deaths caused by, or thought to
be caused by, police action. The Detroit Coalition against Police Brutality which was
founded on October 22nd 1996 is a non-profit Coalition against
Police Brutality that seeks solutions to the problems of community violence and
police brutality. The mission of the Detroit Coalition against Police Brutality
is to mobilize a powerful, visible local, national and international protest
against brutality and institutional violence. Their aim is to unite and support
those most directly affected by police brutality and to involve other sectors
of society in this fight. Amnesty International is another international
organization active in the issue of police brutality. Tools used by these
groups include video recordings, which are sometimes broadcasted using
worldwide famous websites.
Yesterday
in communities’ worldwide people organized events against violent police
forces. Still in the world are flames of injustice burned by police which
continue to act with impunity towards any who one who challenges their
authority. Anybody, providing he knows how to be amusing, has the right to talk
about himself. Yesterday people came out and raised their voices in the
International Day against Police Brutality events in solidarity with all those
who have faced violence by police and in celebration of community power.
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