URGENT ACTION BY CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS ON WCB MURDERS

Dear Editor

The Guyana Human Rights Association as an urgent action has invited Civic Organisations to send messages or letters to H.E. President Ali to support the call that international technical expertise be invited to assist the Guyana Police Force in resolving the West Coast Berbice murders.

While organisations are free to compose their messages, the text below is a guide to the sentiments and length such letters might want to express.

SUGGESTED TEXT FROM CIVIC ORGANISATIONS (religious, trade unions, corporate, professional and NGOs)

A wide cross-section of Guyanese, including members of our organizations, were shocked by the brutal deaths of the three youths in West Coast Berbice last September.  The grim murders seem destined to end up in that mythical space where ethnic atrocities are never finally laid to rest.

We are aware of the efforts made to date by the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Police Force with the assistance of the Regional Security System.  However, hopes that these investigations will conclude in a manner that satisfies both the demands of justice and national reconciliation are fading.  

We believe that the technical investigations must be approached in a manner capable of ensuring not only positive technical results, but also assuring all well-intentioned Guyanese that every effort was made to resolve the crimes. That assurance will be secured if the Government is perceived as willing to go the extra mile, even were the end result not to be conclusive judicially.

To this end resolving the murders becomes an opportunity to pursue national reconciliation as a common cause. In this spirit we are, therefore, encouraging the Government of Guyana to consider making available the services of the Argentine Team of Forensic Pathologists as requested by the Guyana Police Force.

In addition to making the technical expertise available to resolve the murders, supporting this cause serves to breathe a new spirit into the daily lives of people and communities, conscious of the fact that the peace and harmony we all seek is a product of justice.

Letters from organisations may be sent by e-mail to: opguyana@gmail.com

or delivered to: H.E. President Irfaan Ali, Office of the President, Vlissengen Road, Georgetown

Regards
Executive Committee,

Guyana Human Rights Association