Govt seeks British Govt, Regional Security System help for GPF

Deadly Berbice unrest
…exploring International Commission of Inquiry
…looking to UN to hold those accountable for spreading race hate, instigating racial strife

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday evening announced that Government would be reaching out to the British Government and the RSS, which is the Regional Security System, to come to Guyana in support of the Guyana Police Force’s investigative capacity.

Ali made the announcement following consultation with the Guyana Police Force as the unrest along the West Coast Berbice Corridor in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has turned deadly. Persons have also been robbed, beaten and extorted, and vehicles and homes have been set on fire.
The President also announced that the events surrounding these horrific and barbaric acts of murder and criminality require a more comprehensive and holistic review, and as such, there is need to get to the bottom of the situation.
“We need to understand who instigated, what was instigated; and as a result, I am exploring the commissioning of an International Commission of Inquiry (COI) to look at every aspect of this situation; to look beyond what took place on the ground; to look at the behaviours that came about as a result of statements made.
The COI is important for us to have a comprehensive understanding as to what took place,” the President said.
Another announcement the President made was that he has asked Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall to explore within the United Nations system all means available to hold to account all those who spread race hate and instigate racial strife.
“…over the last three days, I have spoken at length about the horrendous and horrific acts that took place in Region Five. Not only the killing of the three young men, but the criminality after those killings, the criminality which led to the disruption of lives along the Region Five Corridor. In previous statements, I alluded to the fact that we will leave no stone unturned, that we will seek to use all available tools in not only solving these crimes, but also in getting a comprehensive and holistic picture as to all the events surrounding what took place thereafter,” Ali said.
He noted that the time has come for Government to deal with the issue of spreading hate and racial strife in speech and in action, noting that it is very seriously and no one must believe that they can use situations like these for any political gain.
“There is no gain, whether politically, socially, economically, morally or culturally. There is no gain that you can get out of this. The only persons who lose are the families who are suffering, the people who received and who were inflicted with blows and loss of property; and the country. The credibility and image of our country suffers greatly,” the Head of State noted.
Such matters, he pointed out, must not be left unanswered. “We cannot leave them unanswered, and so, as President, I have decided to proceed with these three steps, in addition to what is going on, to bring swiftly all those who were part of these horrific acts to justice.”

Inciting violent protests
Meanwhile, earlier Wednesday, both the President and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn came out swinging at Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon over his “inciteful” statements, which they say continue to fuel the violent protests, particularly along the East Coast Demerara (ECD) to West Coast Berbice (WCB) Corridor.
Following the brutal hacking to death of cousins Joel and Isaiah Henry, protests have erupted in Region Five, where protestors are demanding justice for the boys. However, what was supposed to be peaceful protest turned violent.
Harmon, on Wednesday, stated that the protests which have been taking place in several parts of Berbice and resulted in violence against innocent civilians, destruction of public and private properties, and disruption of the livelihood of thousands of Guyanese, is a struggle against the democratically elected PPP/C Government.
“I am calling on all of Guyana to recognise that this is a struggle not between the races, this is a struggle against oppression. It’s a struggle against fraudulent government, and we must stand united against that,” Harmon said, even though the protests are about the manner in which the boys were murdered.
The violent protests have led to the deaths of two persons – Haresh Singh and Chatterpaul Harripaul – and robbery, beatings and damage to properties of a number of other persons.
In condemning the deaths and current course the protest is taking, President Ali said the criminals who snuffed the life of Singh must be brought to justice swiftly. He noted that he spoke to the grandmother and brother-in-law of Singh, just as he did with the parents of Isaiah and Joel, and their pain and grief is immense.
“The criminals who are robbing people, the criminals who are beating people, the criminals who are chopping people, need to be brought to justice also. There is no other way to describe this. It is criminality, it has nothing to do with standing up for justice. Raping people’s children, robbing people, trampling upon other rights, beating people, damaging property of innocent people, has nothing to do with justice. It is selfish, destructive and a flagrant disregard for the rule of law and the rights of people,” he said.
In his address to the nation, the President noted that he has been speaking to the victims of robberies, abuse and destruction, who have related their difficulties. It was related that just on Wednesday, rice fields were burnt in some areas.
The call for every leader to condemn the violent actions was issued along with a stern reprimand for the Opposition Leader.

Opposition igniting
“I find the statement of Joseph Harmon unhelpful to the situation. For a matter, of fact, it is his statement that would have ignited the situation on the ground. Calling this a struggle against a fraudulent Government and oppression tells you the extent to which Mr Harmon is trying to misuse the circumstances that surround us as a nation,” the President stated.
Ali noted that the deaths of the two Henry teens and Singh has nothing to do with oppression by any Government, while adding that it is not a struggle against a fraudulent Government.
“I am calling on Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to investigate the statement of Mr Joseph Harmon, the statement that was inciteful and filled with hate. This is not the type of leadership our country needs at this time, when we are trying to heal and bring communities together,” he said.
It was related that the murders and barbaric individuals, not worth to be classified as humans, must be brought to justice in all three instances, and will be brought to justice. The President furthered that those persons, disguised as protestors, causing chaos and havoc on the streets will not be tolerated. They would be apprehended and be brought to justice.
The call was made for all Guyanese to act responsibly with the aim of uniting. Leaders, were appealed to to not misuse the circumstances as a tool of achieving selfish desires.
“The irresponsibility from the statement from Joseph Harmon leaves much to be desired. I call upon all the leaders of this country, I call upon all the democratic institutions, to condemn what is taking place, to condemn the actions of the criminals, the murderers and those who are creating havoc in the communities by beating, chopping, robbing and raping people.
“And not only to condemn, but to join me in calling for swift and decisive action against those who are bent on criminal behaviour. I want to assure the residents of Region Five that I will be there. I have been talking to families, to community leaders, and have been monitoring the meetings and being briefed on a continuous basis from the Police, the Army Chief, on the situation on the ground. I totally understand the hurt. I assure you that I am spending all of my time not only monitoring, but pushing forward for solutions,” the President said.
Ali made the commitment to visit every community in Guyana to bring healing, to talk to residents, to work with them on priorities. He appealed to citizens to allow the Police to conduct their investigations.
Agitators
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn called Harmon and former President David Granger “agitators” of an already volatile situation.
“Unfortunately, Messrs Granger and Harmon descended on the communities, and in their statements and rhetoric, created an atmosphere engendering unfounded suspicions, leading to racial polarisation and attacks. Further, loss of life, injuries and property loss are being experienced! This escalation in violence rests squarely at the doors of these two gentlemen and specific known political agitators of their ilk,” he noted in a statement.
He added that Granger and Harmon bear the prime responsibility for the escalation in violence, injuries and death.
The Guyana Police Force is working to resolve, according to Benn, what is a clear criminal matter, while the Joint Services are increasing their efforts to restore calm to the affected areas. He also advised only emergency and essential travel with the support of the Police from Berbice.