Dear Editor
THE Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) condemns the systemic sabotage of several state prosecutions in Guyana, by state prosecutors who swore an oath to uphold the law.

Several prosecutors have deliberately refused to attend court to do their jobs — prosecute cases. Consequently, some cases have been stalled, while others have been dismissed. This unlawful and appalling conduct constitutes obstruction and a perversion of the course of justice.

The shenanigans by prosecutors in the Marcus Bisram murder inquiry which is subjudice in the Magistrate’s Court is the most recent case in which the actions of prosecutors appear to obstruct justice. Other instances include SOCU cases. Although SOCU is outside the administrative remit of the DPP, SOCU prosecutions are within the constitutional mandate of the DPP.

The obstruction or forfeiture of prosecution, as well as the deliberate concealment or withholding of evidence in court cases are acts of public corruption and obstruction of justice. These are criminal acts.

Therefore, the CGID calls on the attorney general and the Judicial Service Commission to launch an investigation into misconduct by the office of the DPP.

Regards
Rickford Burke
President of CGID