“Family violence continues to scourge our society” – GBA on murder of attorney

In expressing condolences to the relatives of murdered attorney-at-law Asasha Ramzan, called “Sasha”, the Bar Association of Guyana on Wednesday said family violence continues to scourge our society, and no doubt sets Guyana back. It therefore unreservedly and unequivocally condemns this and every act of gender-based violence, regardless of whatever form it may take.

The Bar Association has said that, with great shock, it as a body and members of the legal profession have learned of the murder of Ramzan, an attorney-at-law who had worked at the Chambers of the Attorney General as a State Counsel, having been admitted to practice law in Guyana in 2020.
“Ms. Ramzan was known to be an industrious, fair, hard-working and competent counsel. Within her held great potential for advancement to the highest levels within the legal profession. Her loss is not only to the profession, but to the country at large. At the Bar, we deeply mourn her death,” the Bar Association has said in a statement.
From all reports, Ramzan’s death resulted from a violent act at the hands of her partner, who from all indications took his own life after committing the act.
“As Guyanese, we owe a duty of care to be each other’s keeper, we must remain vigilant to look for the signs of gender-based violence. The Bar Association of Guyana extends sincerest condolences to the relatives, loved ones and friends of our dear colleague,” the statement read.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, visited Ramzan’s mother and relatives on Wednesday to offer condolences on behalf of the staff of the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, and the Government of Guyana.
Nandlall had said on Tuesday that his chambers, along with the Legal Affairs Ministry, is deeply saddened by the passing of the young State Counsel, who had been employed with the chambers from October 2020 to the date of her demise.

“She joined the Litigation Department of the Attorney General’s Chambers, and distinguished herself as a confident, hardworking, able and driven attorney-at-law. Ms Ramzan brought the highest levels of professionalism and proficiency to every matter in which she was involved, and was concerned especially about the plight of the ordinary Guyanese,” Nandlall said in a statement to the media.
He noted that Ramzan had been actively involved in numerous public outreach programmes, including assisting with the land regularisation programme of the Ministry. She had often accompanied him at public and community outreaches as part of her demonstrable commitment to assist the ordinary Guyanese, and had also worked closely with the General Register Office (GRO), providing legal advice on a ready basis to the Registrar on a variety of legal matters.
The 30-year-old attorney was shot by her husband Peter Charles, a barber, on Tuesday. He later turned the gun on himself at Claybrick Road in Belle West, Canal No 2 Polder, West Bank Demerara (WBD). According to reports, the bodies were found in parked Nissan X-Trail sports utility vehicle PAB 6812 not far from the couple’s residence. Ramzan’s body reportedly bore two gunshot wounds, while Charles’s body bore one. At the time the bodies were found, Charles was seated in the driver’s seat while Ramzan was in the front passenger’s seat. The two were both fully dressed for work.
The circumstances that led to the death of the young couple remain unknown. However, this newspaper understands that Charles had been a licensed firearm holder. Several family members and friends of the couple have expressed shock on social media over the incident. The couple had been married for only about four months.