The United Nations also reiterated its dedication to the promotion of democracy and human rights in Guyana, according to a statement issued by the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System here, Mr. Richard Olver.

"We are present in Guyana as an international organisation within the context of the laws of Guyana, and we conduct operational activities in Guyana at the request of the government," Olver said.

"The United Nations is dedicated to the promotion of democracy and human rights (and) we promote those values through advocacy and partnership," he said.

He said, too, that "the United Nations deplores the recent resort by some to violence and urges that all adhere to the rule of law scrupulously."

Olver also noted that contrary to reports emanating from some media houses, the UN "will not play a role" in legal matters growing out of last week's disturbances at the Office of the President.

"We have been contacted by a number of persons on these matters. At 9:10 hrs today (yesterday), Mr. Mark Benschop came to the entrance to the United Nations office on Brickdam, where his lawyers met him. He and his lawyers then went immediately to the Georgetown Magistrates Court where Mr. Benschop proceeded inside the building, in response to an outstanding arrest warrant," Olver stated.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has also come out in unequivocal condemnation of "the expressions of violence, lawlessness and outrages against decent law abiding citizens and the democratic institutions of the state".

In a statement yesterday, the Sabha said the forces arrayed to unseat a democratically elected Government have "abandoned all pretences and have revealed themselves as utterly depraved and as forces of anarchy".

The Sabha also unreservedly joined in the condemnation of the invasion and attack on the Office of the President last week.

"We wish to strongly condemn the violence and ignominy that continues to be perpetrated on Guyanese Indians who are clearly targeted. On July 3 along the route of the illegal march that culminated in the storming of the Office of the President, numbers of Indians were beaten, robbed and terrorised," it stated.

"And even after the attack on the Office of the President, the onslaught on Guyanese Indians continued with the looting and burning of two businesses on Regent Street and the beating and robbing of scores of innocent Indians on the streets of Georgetown and the villages of the East Coast of Demerara," the religious organisation added..

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha said it remains faithful to the guiding Hindu principles of the non-violence and tolerance for diversity and is confident that its membership and the community its speaks for abides by the rule of law, democracy and co-existence across difference.

"We are therefore appalled that the Indian community from among whom we derive our membership and support continue to be the target for the kinds of outrage and victimisation we have been witnessing (and) all unlawful actions perpetrated against persons pursuing their legitimate business must come to an end," it said.

The Sabha also called on all organisations and leadership of all communities to unreservedly adopt non-violence and to enjoin their supporters to live by the rule of law.

"Now is the time for everyone to sound their voices against the forces that seek to destroy our society. Let us work constructively and in unity for the good of all of our people. We support the call by so many for the resumption of the dialogue and pray that peace and stability return to our country," the Sabha stated in its release.

The Guyana Action Party (GAP), through its leader, Mr. Paul Hardy, also issued a statement yesterday, expressing regret at the loss of lives and condemnation in the strongest term, the breakdown of law and order in the society.

In these days of uncertainty with, "men's hearts failing them for fear and when the powers are being shaken" (Luke 21:26) it is necessary not only to openly disapprove of all directions and actions that are forcing Guyana to the brink of bloody anarchy, but also to condemn in no uncertain terms, as we are now doing, those holding ultimate responsibility for the present state of affairs," Hardy said.

"This is a direct result of the prevailing political culture where leadership is given to the one who can outdo the other, when we should be focusing on discussing the need for an investment friendly environment which would provide opportunities to improve our standard of living," he asserted.

"At this time when some nations are issuing travel advisories warning their citizens about the conditions in Guyana, a friendly neighbour has seen it fit to allow its citizens to invest and study here. The GAP commends this neighbour for its show of confidence in Guyana and its people.

"It is now our duty to regain the confidence of our traditional friends," Hardy stated.