According to reports in the local press, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has issued a statement  condemning  the  action of  security forces  at Linden on July 18, that resulted in the deaths of  three citizens and injuries suffered by 20 others. To be on the level, this hemispheric  organisation is bounded by its statutory obligations and is therefore obliged  to make statements as it thinks necessary whenever it perceives its principles are violated. But there is another side of this coin.
Beginning with its principal function of zealously  condemning  State action that violates the human rights of citizens,  one must interject  by questioning  the IACHR’s   deafening  silence when citizens’ human rights are  horrendously violated  by extremist groups, such as when 11 peaceful and law – abiding citizens, including children, of Lusignan were murdered in the dead of night; and a further 8, also killed at Bartica – all in Guyana. Where was the voice of this Commission speaking out against these two atrocities?
The writer wishes to reiterate that   violations   committed against anyone/group must be condemned, irrespective from where they originate. And reading the text of the Commission’s statement, they have already called for “sanctions against those responsible.” This would seem to be very premature, if not   pre-emptive, especially since the agreed on Commission of Inquiry has not  begun its deliberations, much less  determining culpability.
The IACHR    ought to have awaited the  findings  of the proposed Inquiry before issuing  such a  condemnatory statement.