The Government of Guyana yesterday said that a press release issued by the Inter- American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) purporting to condemn the deadly repression of public protests in Guyana was biased in its content, misconceived in its purpose and premature in its conclusions. Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon said that the Commission in its release had already determined that live rounds were fired by Police Officers “whereas this is an allegation for which evidence is yet to be evaluated and an assumption that remains to be factually established.”
Dr. Luncheon said that the IACHR has been known to demonstrate partiality in certain instances and it was no surprise that it had failed to consult with the Government of Guyana about the regrettable series of occurrences in the township of Linden on July 18 prior to issuing its press release on August 3, 2012.
The HPS said that the Government of Guyana respects the rights of its citizens including the right to march to protest and to demonstrate peacefully and hardly needs to be reminded of its responsibilities in this regard.
He said that in seeking to admonish Guyana about these responsibilities it seems to have escaped the attention of the Commission that protestors have an obligation not to endanger the rights and the livelihood of others, particularly citizens.
He stressed: “The government does not condone the unlawful deaths and injury which have occurred. The administration has acted expeditiously to commit to a Commission of Inquiry into the incident.”
In the circumstances, he added, the press release by the IACHR is unhelpful by any means and it potentially exacerbates an already volatile situation evolving in Region 10.
He reiterated: “The Government of Guyana is committed to working with all stakeholders local and overseas in order to arrive at a just a lasting and peaceful settlement of the issues which have arisen.”