The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) has come out in support of Guyana Caribbean Institute of Democracy President Rickford Burke in relation to the Wanted Bulletin issued for him by the Guyana Police Force. In the bulletin the Police said Burke is wanted for “questioning in relation to conspiracy to commit a felony to wit publication of defamatory libel in order to extort money.” The alleged offence has to do with the online Guyana News Network (GNN) publishing a story which Burke has distanced himself from.
Refer to ACDA’s statement below: -The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) notes the wanted bulletin issued for our Brother Rickford Burke, a human rights activist and President of the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) in the United States.
ACDA believes that the act was politically motivated with the sole intention of silencing the brother from advocating for the human rights, the end of discrimination and marginalization of the African-Guyanese people.
We condemn the high handedness and disdain for free speech of the State.ACDA stands in strong solidarity with this brother and calls on all the relevant authorities involved to bring an end to this very apparent prosecution tactic, and undemocratic behaviour.
