Latest update March 29th, 2025 5:06 AM
The right to protect your life and property is being violated
DEAR EDITOR,
There were two news items in our media that have caused serious concern and vexation in our society: A 56-year-old contractor stabbed and killed a bandit who attacked and tried to rob him of his caged bird. The man was brought before the court and charged with manslaughter and placed on $250,000 bail.
It was well reported in every section of the media about this man doing everything humanly possible to escape the pursuit of his attacker whose intention was to rob and kill him. The instinct of fight or flight kicked in and by some stroke of luck, the elderly man managed to save his own life by killing the robber. The other incident to mention is the “Pearl Store Owner” who shot and killed one of the several bandits who attempted to rob him.
These two incidents have two issues in common, robbery with violence with intent to kill and the right to protect one’s life.
It has been noticeable for quite some time that the hardworking people of this country have lost that right to protect and defend their life and property. Evidence of this loss was clearly expressed in both cases mentioned above. These bandits are often being described as quiet church boys who were wrongfully accused whenever caught.
It is heart wrenching to hear my fellow citizens, especially women, in anguish, begging the question; what have we become in this country? Are we to watch criminals take our hard earnings and do nothing? Are we to become sitting ducks to be slaughtered by these bandits?
Bandits, thieves and looters have been emboldened in recent times and with more rights to ply their criminality as seen in many instances. Many robbery victims continue to suffer two or more times. They often cut their losses, bury their dead and bitterly struggle to continue surviving. These two men who were supposed to be commended for their bravery and courage were instead charged for manslaughter and murder respectively. Their only concern was wanting to save their own lives.
The very law that was supposed to protect the law-abiding people of this country has clearly taken the side of criminals. The two cases mentioned above are just examples of hundreds of other cases. These two cases have generated some amount of fear and uneasiness, to the extent that many quiet and easy-going persons are screaming in anger. Where are we heading in this country?
I think every right-thinking Guyanese must raise their voice against injustices meted out to these two gentlemen and all those who have suffered similar fates. As former President Hugh Desmond Hoyte once said, “You have a God-given right to defend and protect your life and property against any aggressor.”
Today we are witnessing more violation of that God-given right.
Yours sincerely
C. Woolford
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