President Ali should enable Argentine team to assist with West Berbice murders

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) joins with the Guyana Human Rights Association, the Henrys’ legal team, other organisations and individuals in seeking legal justice for the murders of Joel and Isaiah Henry and Haresh Singh. These teenagers were murdered in September 2020 on the West Coast Berbice.  The GTUC is afraid these grim murders seem destined to end up in that mythical space where atrocities are never finally laid to rest. In polarised societies such as ours this would not augur well for national peace and harmony.

The GTUC is aware of the efforts made to date by the Government of Guy-ana and the Guyana Police Force with the assistance of the Regional Security System. However, hopes that these investigations will conclude in a manner that satisfies both the demands of justice and national reconciliation are fading.  Understandably, any perception to this effect could create angst in the society.

GTUC therefore believes that the technical investigations must be approached in a manner capable of ensuring not only positive technical results, but also assuring all well-intentioned Guyanese that every effort was made to resolve the crimes. That assurance will be secured if the Government is perceived as willing to go the extra mile, even where the end result may not be conclusive judicially. It is important that justice is not only done but also perceived to be done.

Resolving the murders becomes an opportunity to pursue national reconciliation as a common cause. It is in this spirit the GTUC joins hands with others in encouraging President Irfaan Ali to consider making available the services of the Argentine Team of Forensic Pathologists as requested by the Guyana Police Force.

In addition to making the technical expertise available to resolve the murders, supporting this cause serves to breathe a new spirit into the daily lives of people and communities, conscious of the fact that the peace and harmony we all seek is a product of justice. It is our hope the Government will pursue this path for the aggrieved relatives and a saddened society because legal justice remains a vital component in securing the peace and harmony all groups in the society deserve.

Yours faithfully,

Lincoln Lewis

General Secretary

Guyana Trades Union Congress