Given the reported number of missing persons in Guyana, the Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) is suggesting government establish a missing persons database.
The organisation, which has a special interest in domestic violence, particularly against women, said on Monday that too many families are still living with the uncertainty of not knowing what really happened to their loved ones.
CADVA’s Chief Operations Officer/Programme Development Director Diane Madray said there are no proper follow-ups done by the local law enforcement and this leaves continued heartache for relatives.
“Currently too many families still live with the uncertainty of not knowing what happened to their loved ones. There are currently no accountability and proper follow-ups done by the local law enforcement as indicated earlier. Sometimes cases are compromised with bribes and corrupted police officers. This has been discussed with Minister Ramjattan, First Lady Sandra Granger and Guyana’s DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) – Shalimar Ali-Hack,” Madray said. She noted that the organisation believes it is time for Guyana to move forward and embrace new policies and changes that will help the country move to a new era with systems that will create a stronger public safety approach. At the same time this system should safeguard the security of all and would be a step in the “right direction”.
The plan, according to her, is to create a reliable and modern electronic Database that will be used to track and report on missing persons’ cases linked to a centralised system.
Madray said the organisation’s plan proposes that the database be linked to the Guyana Police Force, which it is hoped will provide updates on the cases as new developments surface.
The launch is planned for November 25 this year.
“Guyana needs to move forward and away from an antiquated system of record keeping and evolve with a modern updated electronic system that will guarantee records keeping and will prevent data tampering,” she said.
“This will also allow the families of the victims to get the latest status with a click of a button through a web interface available to the public.”
As a result, “we hope that you the media continue to be truthful to these stories and help us to keep them alive and give these women of Domestic Homicide a voice, too.”
