GHRA invites pledges to bring in specialists to help solve WCB murders

…says fund-raising an opportunity to promote ethnic reconciliation

The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) is inviting pledges from persons interested in supporting the initiative to bring a team of highly-qualified forensic specialists from Argentina to help solve the murders of West Coast Berbice (WCB) teens, Isaiah, Joel and Haresh.

Recently, the GHRA announced that it was seeking USD$40,000 to cover all costs involved. The Human Rights body had approached the Ministries of Home Affairs and Human Services seeking their joint financial support but no formal response has been received.

“Since the Government has yet to respond to the invitation that it provide 50 percent of the financing, the GHRA is recommending that people initially pledge a particular sum, but do not transfer funds until the position of the Government is clarified and the GHRA specifically requests them. As pledges for GYD$1.2M were received in the first 24 hours following the announcement of the fund, it is hopeful that the total will be secured without a prolonged delay,” the GHRA Executive said in a statement on Tuesday.

Pledges can be made through the GHRA’s e-mail address: ghra_guy@gmail.com; the GHRA FB page and the GHRA’s office which will be open between 09:00hrs – 12:00hrs each weekday.

“The GHRA views the fund-raising effort as an opportunity for promoting ethnic reconciliation. Raising the necessary funds from multiple small, politically independent donations is an opportunity for many people to make common cause in resolving these murders,” the Association added:

“From the outset, this initiative has been a product of cooperation between the Guyana Police Force, the law firm for the family, Hughes Fields & Stoby and the GHRA. In order to protect this arrangement, it is essential that the civic character of the initiative be preserved from any suggestion of partisan political influence.  Pledges from all individuals and civic (non-partisan) organizations are welcomed.”

Two months have passed since the mutilated bodies of Isaiah and Joel Henry were found, as well as the body of Haresh Singh, another teenager who was killed not far from his home.