No place for “barbaric, medieval” violence in modern society – Jagdeo on domestic violence

Declaring that domestic violence has “no place in a modern or humane society,” People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary (GS) and Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday vowed that a re-elected PPP/C Government will strengthen laws and expand civic education to combat the scourge of gender-based violence. Jagdeo, speaking at his weekly press conference, described the recent spate of brutal domestic violence cases as “barbaric” and “medieval,” underscoring the urgency of tackling both the legal and cultural dimensions of the problem.
“It’s really grotesque sometimes what we see in Guyana, barbaric, medieval type of violence. And it has no place in a modern society or a humane society. Barbaric and medieval, those are the only ways I can think of about this, the violence,” the GS said. Jagdeo explained that the party’s next-term agenda will focus on a dual approach: strengthening the legislative framework to ensure justice for victims, while simultaneously reshaping societal values through early civic education.
Jagdeo further pledged immediate collaboration with religious leaders and civil society organisations, including Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) to mount a coordinated, community-level response aimed at prevention and cultural change.
“We have to ensure that it’s not acceptable in any quarter for this to happen. And that’s why we’ve made it clear in the next storm, we have to not just work in the school, to the civic programme, to work at a very young age with people to promote values that are really important to the growth of our society, a more humane society. But immediately we have to start doing what the President promised, that is working with our religious leaders and the NGOs to try to get ahead of this,” he pledged. Jagdeo’s comments came on the heels of a horrific incident that saw a 36-year-old man, Alroy Solomon, storming into the Charlotte Street, Georgetown apartment and chased after, then killed his partner, 36-year-old Teekadai Atiya Solomon. Their 10-year-old son, Jeremiah Solomon, was shot by his father but survived. Teekadai, who had been married for just over six years but had been in a relationship with the man for more than 13 years, was described by her friends as “trapped” in a cycle of domestic abuse.
While the nation rallied against the gruesome act, President Dr Irfan in a statement, said he was deeply distressed and saddened by the tragic incident. He stated that the family remains the basic cell of human society and its preservation is essential to our nation’s well-being. “When families break, society bleeds. But when families thrive, a nation stands tall. I remain firmly committed to working to provide all the help and support that families need to be nurtured, to grow stronger, and to flourish”, he said. He also visited the injured child on Tuesday evening, and stated that he assured him that he carries with him the love and compassion of an entire nation. “…we will stand firmly by his side as he works to overcome this painful trauma and ordeal. I call upon our religious leaders and indeed all our people, to lift this child in prayer and to ask the Almighty to surround him with strength, comfort, and healing in the days and months ahead,” he said.