–Forde declares pointing to the ‘return of extra-judicial killings’
Arguing that the Rule of Law is under attack, Opposition Member of Parliament, Roysdale Forde S.C said extra-judicial killings have undoubtedly returned under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration.
Last September, President Irfaan Ali rubbished reports of extra-judicial killings occurring under his Administration but on Friday, the Senior Counsel told the National Assembly, the facts are daunting. “Between August 2020 and the present time, the following persons were extra judicially killed: (a) Sherwin Filley – 29th January, 2021; (b) Peter Headley – 11th May, 2021; (c) Orin Boston – 15th September, 2021,” the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament pointed out.
Noting that extra-judicial killing is a breach of the Constitution of Guyana, MP Forde said instead of ensuring the safety of citizens, the Guyana Police Force has been invading the homes of innocent citizens as he referenced to the case of Dartmouth Businessman Orin Boston Jr., who was fatally shot while asleep in his bed next to his wife.
Last month, the SWAT Member, Sherwin Peters – who has been accused of fatally shooting Boston – was charged with manslaughter, however, MP Forde told the charge is an insult to Boston’s family. The family and friends of Boston have called for Peters be charged for murder.
“Mr. Speaker, we have returned to the dark days under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic. Guyanese since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s installation in August, 2020 have experienced not only the return of execution style killings but also the rise of execution style killings,” the Senior Council argued.
In cementing his case, MP Forde pointed out that between August 2, 2020 and September 1, 2021, 12 persons were killed in execution style killings – Rondel Haynes, Peter Gonsalves, Odeinga Haywood, Delon Mc Kenzie, Jaleel Leon, Seon London, Ricardo Fagundes, Ronald Omar Smith, Devain Mc Lennon, Euclid Da Silva, Daniel Fraser, and Shanicka Forde.
He said still unresolved are the brutal murder of the Henry Cousins and Haresh Singh. MP Forde said despite the commitment by the President to leave no stone unturned to find the killers or bring them to justice to date this has not happened.