President of the UGSS, Mr. Robert Bourne met the members of the media after concluding the first leg of the march from the University of Guyana to ‘Bonasika Square’.

According to Bourne he anticipates support to grow faster and is expecting more persons to come out and support the quest for justice for their colleague and a complete over-haul of the operations of the Guyana Police Force.

The protestors also held a peaceful protest at a special programme to honour the life and works of the late Joseph Pollydore CCH, OR, AA at the Critchlow Labour College.

At a press conference yesterday evening at the Tower hotel the UGSS announced that on Monday the day of the funeral, there will be a peaceful non violent, silent march from the Brickdam Cathedral after the funeral service to Beterverwagting where Yohance will be buried. The service begins at 13:00hrs.

He said that they are awaiting the Home Affairs Minister for the result of the investigations.

Meanwhile the United Nations in Guyana has noted with regret the tragic events of Saturday march 1 in which a University of Guyana student, Yohance Douglas was killed and others injured by members of the Guyana Police Force.

While extending condolences to the friends and family of Yohance Douglas and Guyana on their loss, the UN said in a press release that they share the concern expressed by many that the escalating threats to personal security is sapping the vital energy of Guyana, rendering development and poverty eradication near impossible.

“In this regard the UN urges the Government that prompt and independent investigations of the Guyana Police Force actions and functioning be undertaken in conformity with national and international standards in order to ensure that perpetrators of human rights violation are held accountable” the UN stated in a press release yesterday.

According to the release at a meeting held March 5 with representatives of the UGSS, the UN was presented with, among other things, the petition previously presented by the Guyana Bar Association requesting that a UN Special Rapporteur for Extra Judicial, Summary and Arbitrary Executions urgently visit Guyana on a fact finding mission.

The petition is also urging the UN Special Rapporteur to go beyond the circumstances surrounding the killing of Yohance Douglas to inquire into the functioning of the Guyana Police Force. (GPF).

“We note with appreciation UGSS’ expression of respect and support for the Guyana Police Force as well as its commitment to channeling the concerns of students into peaceful and constructive protest geared towards improving and strengthening key national institutions, such as the GPF” the UN said.

The UN in Guyana announced that it has transmitted these messages through its Headquarters in New York to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Ms. Asma Jahangir, who is currently in the process of examining the information.