Piano di azione Family of Dave and Reagon Beckford (Killed) 24/07/2002 Police have beaten and threatened to kill Dave Beckford. Dave Beckford is the brother of Reagon Beckford, who was killed by police officers in March 2001 in an alleged extrajudicial execution. Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of Dave Beckford and that of his family. Amnesty International is deeply concerned that police officers appear to have been attempting to intimidate the family of Reagon Beckford, purportedly to prevent them from pursuing their quest for justice in relation to the death of their son. The Senior Superintendent of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is due to give evidence at an inquest tomorrow in relation to the death of Reagon Beckford, aged 15, and six other youths killed by police on 14 March 2001 in an alleged extrajudicial execution. Other police officers will also shortly be giving evidence. An autopsy report showed that Reagon Beckford had been shot eight times in the neck, chest, abdomen, right thigh, right lower leg and left foot. On 23 July at around 6pm, a number of police officers, some of whom were attached to the Hundred Man Police Station, allegedly entered the home of the Beckford family in Braeton. Police officers allegedly beat Dave Beckford on the chest, face and testicles, and choked him. Police then reportedly made Dave Beckford kneel down in his bedroom, cocked a gun and put it to his head. He was allegedly interrogated and accused of being in possession of firearms and of planning to kill police officers. The Senior Superintendent of the JCF reportedly stated: "You know who I am? ... Is me name Adams ... Is not your brother was around at that house and got killed?" (referring to the killing of Reagon Beckford). Police also ransacked the house, destroying items of furniture and removing photographs and the birth certificates of Reagon Beckford's mother, two sisters, brother and a female cousin. They requested that Dave Beckford report to the police station at 8pm on 23 July, but no reason was given for the request. A complaint was subsequently made to the Commissioner of Police and the police control room about the incident. So far there has been no response from the authorities to indicate whether the incident is being investigated. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Amnesty International has received several other reports alleging intimidation and threats against members of the families of the Braeton 7. On one occasion, members of the Crime Management Unit allegedly visited family members and local residents the week after the seven youths were killed and made threats against them. Amnesty International reported these allegations to the Commissioner of Police in a meeting in April 2001. The Commissioner informed the organization that the threats would be investigated and the organization informed of the outcome of the investigations. At the present time, the organization has not received this information. Amnesty International has received hundreds of reports of extrajudicial executions committed by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force over the last ten years, as well as acts of torture and ill-treatment. The Crime Management Unit is a specialist unit within the Jamaica Constabulary Force. It is headed by the Senior Superintendent of Police. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language: - expressing concern at reports of death threats and beating of Dave Beckford and of intimidation of Reagon Beckford's family; - urging the authorities to take all necessary measures to guarantee the safety of the Beckford family immediately; - calling for an immediate, impartial and full investigation into the attack and threat on 23 July and asking for those responsible to be brought to justice. APPEALS TO: Minister for National Security The Hon. Dr. P. Philipps Mutual Life Building North Tower 2 Oxford Road PO Box 472 Kingston 5 JAMAICA West Indies Fax: + 1 876 906 1724 Telegrams: Minister for National Security, Kingston, JAMAICA Salutation: Dear Minister Commissioner of Police Francis A. Forbes, CD, LL.B. Office of the Commissioner 101-105 Old Hope Road Kingston 6 JAMAICA West Indies Fax: + 1 876 927 7516 Telegrams: Commissioner of Police, Kingston, Jamaica Salutation: Dear Commissioner Minister of Justice The Hon. A.J. Nicholson Attorney General Ministry of Justice Mutual Life Building North Tower 2 Oxford Road PO Box 472 Kingston 5 JAMAICA West Indies Fax: + 1 876 906 1724 Telegrams: Minister of Justice, Kingston, JAMAICA Salutation: Dear Minister COPIES TO: Superintendent Harrison Head Hundred Man Police Station 1 Braeton Park Way Braeton Kingston JAMAICA West Indies. Fax: + 1 876 949 8432 Salutation: Dear Superintendent Harrison and to diplomatic representatives of Jamaica accredited to your country. PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 4 September 2002. Vedi anche: http://www.amnesty.org Spedisci questa pagina / Send this page / Envíar este pagina