UG 'community' repeats call for independent inquiry
Stabroek News
March 13, 2003

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The University of Guyana (UG) students and teachers have reiterated their call for an independent inquiry into the police shootings of Yohance Douglas and Ronson Grey and for a complete review of the Guyana Police Force.

The call came at a meeting held in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre yesterday, where the UG 'community' repeated its call for overseas medical attention for Grey and psychological counselling for the other students, according to a release from the UG Faculty of Social Sciences.

Additionally, the following motion was unanimously approved: "Be it resolved that the university community (staff and students), endorses the students' non-violent but affirmative action until justice has been served and an unprejudiced conclusion has been effected," the release concluded.

In a press release to the media, the Police Public Relations Department has said that a request by the University of Guyana Students and Staff Association (UGSSA) to convene two public rallies at the Independence Park had been denied.

The rallies were scheduled to take place between 4:00pm to 1:00am today and tomorrow. The release indicated that the police denied the UGSSA permission since "the stipulated time is not in conformity with the Public Order Act, Chapter 16:03, [the] venue is not convenient for such continuous activities and [it] is unreasonable to subject residents to those continuous activities."

The release stated further, that the police have observed that a number of groups have engaged in marches and other activities without applying to the relevant authority for permission.

"We wish to caution those concerned that it is a requirement by Law that applications for marches, public meetings, public rallies and processions, except a funeral procession, must be made to the Police Authority of the Division, at least 48 hrs prior. This is clearly stated under section 3 (1) of the Public Order Act, Chapter 16:03," the release stated.

It added that the persons who claim to be university students should first and foremost strive to obey the laws.

Meanwhile, permission has been granted to the UGSSA for an open air concert at the venue between 8:00 pm to midnight, tomorrow, the release said.

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