The Guyana Association of Women Lawyers has expressed concern over the high level of violence which has escalated in communities over the last few weeks, resulting in injuries and deaths to persons as well as damage to property.
Stabroek News
June 27, 2001
A release from the Association said that violence is not the appropriate manner to settle grievances and/or disputes whether they occur within family, within communities or between communities.
The Association acknowledged the constraints faced by the Guyana Police Force but was deeply concerned about allegations of police brutality and extra-judicial killings which did not engender confidence in the investigative capabilities of the Force.
It condemned violence in all its forms and called on citizens to use dialogue and discussion as the means of identifying and solving problems or issues that affect them.
It further urged communities to establish focal points and identify leaders for the purpose of engendering discussion and guiding members of the communities, especially the youth, in a positive way.
"Citizens must recognize that while they have fundamental rights and human rights under the Constitution and Laws of Guyana, they have a corresponding duty and responsibility to abide by the laws of the land and to respect the rights and freedoms of others," the release said.
"Our nation can only move forward successfully if each citizen - young, middle-aged and old - recognizes the necessity of working together in peace and for the common good of all. we must strive to ensure that the seeds of discrimination and prejudice do not take root. Let generations to come respect us for what we would have achieved," the release concluded.