FOREIGN Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has said that everyone should be subject to the law, noting that one just cannot be prosecuting the poor or those who are not well-positioned and letting off their peers.

The Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Minister made the remarks on Sunday in an interview on radio programme, ‘Hard Talk’, broadcast on 90.1 Love FM.

Making reference to officials of the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, Greenidge said a number of alleged wrongdoers have not been charged and indicted as yet.
“The public is tired of hearing stories of wrong doings committed by Government officials under the previous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration,” he said.
Criticising the prosecution service, the Minister opined that the relevant authorities are not doing their work assiduously enough but have been giving all sorts of advice leading to non-prosecution.
“There is an intention to prosecute them but the problem I think has to do with…the evidence and the loss, misplacement of evidence, including the unwillingness of some people to speak but also the weaknesses of the system,” Greenidge explained.
The Vice-President also pointed out the lack of capacity of the Guyana Police Force and other agencies to effectively investigate and prosecute.
“The point that we’ve been making before the election is that everyone should be subject to the law. You just can’t be prosecuting the poor or those who are not well positioned and letting off your peers, those you are socially equal to or those you went to school (with).
“And I hope not withstanding what it appears may have happened so far that that is not a hallmark of what is to unfold in future. I think there is a lot of pressure on the relevant Ministers to ensure that people are prosecuted.”
He made it clear that he too has been approached by members of the public, who have expressed the desire to see some Government officials behind bars.
“I keep getting approached, saying look we’re not interested in hearing all those stories you have to tell, lock up some people. If they’ve done wrong, lock them up otherwise shut up.”

By Navendra Seoraj