Pres Ali vows justice for victims of violent unrest

…urges Guyanese to introspect, work to leave a better country for future generations

…perpetrators of acid attack on pupils, teachers could face terrorism charges – AG

In the wake of the violence that broke out across Guyana, which saw businesses looted and innocent Guyanese injured, President Dr Irfaan Ali has met with some of the affected persons and promised that justice would be delivered.
He made this announcement on his social media page, where he noted that even women and children were not spared from the violence. As a matter of fact, the President also met with teachers and students from the Chateau Margot Primary School, who were victims of a brutal acid attack on Monday that left them with visible scars.

“This morning [Tuesday], I had the difficult task of speaking to dozens of persons who were harmed, robbed and/or injured by criminal elements yesterday. I expressed our collective concern and love as law-abiding citizens. I assured them that those responsible for inflicting pain, harm, injury and damage would be prosecuted according to the law.
“The pain of innocent women and children is always the worst and hardest to imagine. Some of the stories were deeply troubling and horrific. I assured these individuals and families of my support and commitment to ensuring they, too, receive justice,” President Ali said.

Introspection and reflection
Meanwhile, the President also made an appeal for persons to do some introspection and reflect on their lives as citizens, as well as the contributions they are making towards a Guyana that future generations will inherit.
“…I ask each of us to prayerfully reflect on our lives as citizens. I especially lift up Adrianna, her family, and all in our society who are in pain and distress. I also hold in prayer those who were harmed, traumatised, mistreated, injured, or taken advantage of yesterday and last night,” President Ali said.
The Head of State expressed hope that persons would be inspired to work together in the spirit of love and brotherhood while rejecting destructive elements that tear the country apart. According to the President, everyone has a collective responsibility to work towards making Guyana a better place.
“I pray that as a people, we will work together to leave behind a better community and country for those who will inherit the future from us. May goodness and mercy be with us all in the remaining days of our lives.
“We are blessed to live in this land we call home. Let us care for it, protect it, nurture it, and celebrate it. Let us make it hospitable and inviting, secure and strong. This is our collective responsibility – our sacred duty to this, our homeland. May God bless every soul born in this place we call home,” the President added.
On Monday, violent protests occurred across the country, with criminal elements seeking to cause public terror by blocking roadways, burning debris, destroying public and private infrastructure, looting, and causing harm to innocent individuals.Monday night’s violence caused concern among many citizens, especially those who were still on the roadways, with limited information available on the danger zones. As a result, many businesses were closed on Tuesday morning.
Monday also saw pupils and teachers of the Chateau Margot Primary School being injured after a corrosive substance was thrown on them while on the road.
The protests were initially focused on the death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, in tragic circumstances characterised by Police inaction and national grief. It subsequently was established on Monday, by three independent international pathologists, that Younge died by drowning. The pathologists also confirmed that there was no sexual assault, no bodily violence, and the marks on her body were consistent with water damage.

Terrorism charges
Meanwhile, on Tuesday evening Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has made it clear that the perpetrators behind the acid attack on three students and two teachers of the Chateau Margot Primary School could be charged with terrorism.
Questioning “what could inspire such dastardly acts?”, Nandlall said from all indications, the proper offence to charge the perpetrators with “is no less an offence other than terrorism”.
This is provided for under Section 309 (A) of the Criminal Law Offences Act. During his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday, the Attorney General went into details on this section of the Act and noted that persons found guilty of this offence where a death has occurred are subjected to the death penalty. In cases where death has not occurred, the accused would be fined no less than $500,000 and would be imprisoned for no less than 10 years nor more than 15 years.
Under the law, Nandlall pointed out that anyone who conspires or attempts to commit, or advocates, aids and abets, or advises or incites or knowingly facilitates the commission of a terrorist act or commits an offence shall be punished for the offence as if s/he had been guilty as an offender.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has since launched an investigation into the acid attack incident.