GHRA members to remove account from Republic Bank

Dec 16, 2008 News

Members of the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) have unanimously agreed to remove the association’s accounts from Republic Bank, after the bank’s management failed to recognize its error in wrongfully accusing and dismissing six workers for theft.

According to a press release issued by the GHRA, the decision was taken when the association held its 20th Annual General Meeting recently, with members coming from Regions One, Two, Four, Nine and Ten. The meeting endorsed four resolutions condemning the use of torture, calling on both Government and civil society to renew their commitment to complete constitutional reform, and pledging the GHRA to take further action to confront sexual violence.

The fourth resolution also included the removal of the association’s account from the Republic Bank.

The GHRA also elected two new members to its Executive Board. These are university lecturer and youth and environmental activist Michelle Kalamadeen, and Dharmadai Ramjit, a woman’s activist from Essequibo.

According to the GHRA, Vidushi Persaud, Executive Secretary of the GHRA, presented to the members a detailed report of the past two years’ activities, while Treasurer McArthur Thomas did a presentation of the Financial Report for the two-year period.

The meeting also took the opportunity to formally record its condolences over the recent death of David DeCaires, Editor-in-Chief of Stabroek News, whom it described as a lifelong proponent of freedom of expression, noting in particular his contribution to keeping the Catholic Standard in existence during the late ‘70s and 1980s.