Expressing shock, sadness and extreme concern about the attempt on the life of journalist Travis Chase, Member of Parliament (MP) and attorney-at-law Geeta Chandan-Edmond is calling on the Government to arrest the crime situation and return Guyana to the pre-2020 calm and peace. Monday evening Chase reported a gunman fired at him at the intersection of D’Urban and Cemetery Road Georgetown, as soon as he stepped out of his car.
The incident the MP points out flies in the face of the UN Declaration of Press Freedom, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Geneva Conventions and the UN Security Council Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists.
According to Chase Monday’s incident wasn’t the first attempt on his life and, “If I am to attribute anything to this incident, I would say my style of reporting, it can’t be anything else.” Chandan-Edmond notes this development is indicative of how dangerous freedom of expression and the right to be a journalist has become under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.
Blasting the government for its handling of crime the MP attributes increased crime to a Police Force that remains highly politicised, the absence of a crime plan, the Ministry of Home Affairs having no clue, and a criminal justice system that is on its knees.
See MP Chandan-Edmond’s full statement below:-
I am profoundly shocked , saddened and extremely concerned about the attempts on the life of one of Guyana’s revered media personnel, Mr. Travis Chase.
This development is indicative of how dangerous freedom of expression and the right to be a journalist has become under the PPP Administration.
This development flies in the face of the UN Declaration of Press Freedom, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Geneva Conventions and the UN Security Council Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists.
It is my sincere hope that this sordid act will be investigated and the perpetrators are brought to justice forthwith.
This call is made against the backdrop of rising crime and Guyana facing its most insecure time in decades.
To date, the Guyana Police Force remains highly politicised, there is no crime plan, the Ministry of Home Affairs has no clue and the criminal justice system is on its knees.
I use this opportunity to, once again, call on the Government to arrest the crime situation and return Guyana to its pre-2020 calm and peace.
The people of Guyana must be safe and secure in their homes , communities, villages and towns and it is a responsibility of the state to formulate and articulate clear and consistent policies to ensure citizen security
