The current events unfolding in villages along the West Coast of Berbice, where protest actions over the gruesome murders of the two Berbice teens have descended into lawlessness, cannot be tolerated any longer. The security forces must work to ensure that normalcy is returned to the communities urgently, so as to allow persons to carry on with their daily lives uninterruptedly.
The entire nation is outraged about the manner in which the young men met their deaths, and everyone has expressed that there is no excuse for that kind of barbaric action from anyone. However, for residents to engage in breaking the law in their demand for justice, it would defeat the very purpose for which they are fighting.
We are currently witnessing the blocking of main thoroughfares, preventing persons from going about their businesses freely. We have also heard reports of innocent passersby being attacked, robbed and beaten, and their vehicles being set on fire, in some case in full view of the Police. Many have expressed that there is no reason for such behaviour, especially considering the fact that law enforcement officials have arrested several persons, and are working feverishly to solve the crime. Everyone wants to see justice delivered, but law enforcement officials would not be able to do their jobs in an environment in which there is a breakdown of law and order.
The Government, in no less a person than the President himself, has condemned the heinous crime, and has, on at least three occasions, given a commitment that all resources would be utilised to ensure that the persons who are found to be involved are brought to justice.
We have observed that some political leaders are capitalising on the opportunity to gain political points from this incident. This is not the opportunity to do so. Responsible leaders do not use a highly tense environment to further create division. Our political leaders also have a crucial role to play, and we expect them to put country above partisan interests. That is the kind of mature political leadership that is needed at this time.
We have also noted the high level of irresponsible behaviour exhibited on social media by some citizens, both here and abroad. In events such as this, quite a lot of content is generated in the form of “live videos” and “comments” on social media platforms. However, most of the content cannot be regarded as informative and healthy debate, and as a result, they do more harm than good.
One cannot ignore the fact that unity in the population is fractured at the moment. We therefore call on all Guyanese to desist from making racially motivated remarks, which can incite others and contribute even more to the high level of tension in the society.
It should be mentioned, too, for citizens’ awareness, that penalties are attracted when they engage in such behaviour, as they can be prosecuted for offences under the Racial Hostility and Representation of the People Acts, as well as under the cybercrime laws.
We urge the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to continue to be vigilant in its monitoring of both the mainstream media and the various social media sites, in order to flag racially insensitive content and to take appropriate actions where necessary. The use of social media to resort to the purveyance of racial hate for political purposes is highly unacceptable, and must be rejected by all citizens who desire to live in peaceful communities.
The President has already expressed his concern over “the degree of race-baiting, racial hate and racial hostility which pervade the social media platforms”. He has since indicated that action will be taken, utilising the necessary legal mechanisms, against persons who engage in such conduct.
There is need for all stakeholders, including the current administration, political parties, civil society groups, religious leaders and, more particularly, the Ethnic Relations Commission to renew their efforts in forging harmony in the country.
Even as the Police continue their investigations into the heinous act, our hope is that every Guyanese would exercise tolerance and respect for each other throughout their daily lives. Now that Guyana is about to benefit fully from the revenues from its oil resources, the possibilities for development are endless, but would be difficult to achieve in a society where peace and harmony are absent.
