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Guyanese lives matter

Jul 26, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
Life matters! It was the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Outside of natural death no one deserves to die. When a person dies at the hands of another and that killer escapes accountability, it must not only matter to the grieving loved ones but to every Guyanese. We cannot, and must not, be silent in the midst of such tragedy.
The revelation by Sean Hinds about his activities, activities of State officials and the politically connected in determining who will die, how they will die and when they will die must raise the ire of the better angels within us. Earthly man is not possessing of the power to give life and correspondingly does not have the power to end life.
The loved ones of Courtney Crum-Ewing, Ronald Waddell, Donna McKinnon, Satyadeow Shaw and countless others would want us to break our silence, come out in condemnation of the atrocities and call for justice to be served. The lives of their loved ones matter as much as that of our loved ones. No one, I repeat, no one, deserves the death our fallen brothers and sisters have met.
In a country where the law is supreme, the law must at all times take its course, however tempting it may be to engage in vigilante activities. Vigilante activities breathe more vigilante activities, consuming the innocent, bystanders, and entire society.
No level-headed citizen can deny this country’s image has taken a beating on the global front; persons live in fear in their homes and on the streets; and our overseas loved ones shy away from visiting. Guyana is our home. This is not the image we want for her and the fear we want to live in. And since this is not what we want we can only make the change by coming out of silence and letting the security forces and government know life matters.
When life is threatened or taken by another, the world is robbed of its most vital resource. And while life cannot be reclaimed justice can and must prevail for departed loved ones. Those who have information and have decided to share such, be it in the police station, television station or wherever, if properly used this can begin the process of healing, ensuring justice.
Within recent days points of reference are being offered and the wheel of justice can start turning. We are One People, One Nation, One Destiny. The dividers of race and politics are immaterial to getting to the bottom of the lawlessness that shrouded this blessed land and during the 2002-2006 crime sprees, in July 2012 and March 2015. The brotherhood of man must unite us in these moments of tragedy as with One Voice we say, “No more!”
Outside of drug trafficking and turf wars, political scores were being settled and dissenters silenced. The people of Linden/Region 10 continue to speak about their story of July 18, 2012 where in standing up for their rights many were injured, Shemroy Bouyea, Allan Lewis and Ron Somerset slaughtered. This tragedy was visited on the citizens by agents of the State on instruction by those elected to serve and appointed to serve and protect, some of whom have since been promoted, continue to wear the uniform of the State and paid by those they violated.
Life is a right. According to the Equality and Human Rights Commission the right to life “means that nobody – including the government – can try to end your life. It also means that you have the right to be protected if your life is at risk. Similarly, public authorities should consider your right to life when making decisions that might put you in danger or which affect your life expectancy.” Those who have acted contrary to this directive, aided and abetted others to act in liked manner should be held accountable.
There is no statute of limitation and for as long as it takes and irrespective of the hurdle required to get there, justice must be served. And since departed loved ones cannot speak for themselves we must speak for them. Life matters.
Sharma Solomon

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