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"Dog- eat- dog" in Guyana |
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vivid description of life in Guyana, where people are very
divided along racial lines... |
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Emirates flies to South America |
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You can now travel to the Far East without "begging"
for a US or Canadian Transit Visa...
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| Brazil's
"Garimperos" and Prostitutes |
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| Prostitues
and "Garimperos" of Brazil have now become a big
problem for its smaller neighbors... |
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Latest News |
Rats on the rise
in TT
Unfortunately, this article addressses the rat problems
of Trinidad and Tobago only. There is a serious roach problem
on the island too. Walking on the sidewalks of TT after
sunset,....Read
More
Plundering Guyana's Wildlife
These endangered scarlet macaws are destined for
Europe from Guyana via Suriname. For every bird that reaches
Europe alive, another 3 or 4 die is transit as a result
of the injury they suffer when thrown from the.....Read
More
Guyanese
fishing for the Caribbean
Guyanese fishermen can be found at all the fishing wharves
of the Caribbean and Suriname. So too are the many fishing
vessels made in Guyana. Is it the quality of lumber that
Guyana possesses or is it the skill craftmen ...Read
More
A
historic day for Guyana
The UN made a landmark ruling on Sept 20, 2007 in favor
of Guyana, settling a century old maritime dispute with
its neighbor, Suriname. This is very important to Guyana
and its people, since the area that was in dispute is believed
to have a large reserve of hydrocarbon, and the utilization
of this resource can certainly be a big boost....Read
More
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Guyana Bar Association
alarmed at Rohee, Jagdeo attack |
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The recent article titled, “Bar Group
alarmed at Jagdeo, Rohee attack on Judiciary” and published in the
Stabroek News on May 30, 08 can be see as a positive step by some,
while for others, it is nothing more than a form of political intervention.
Depending on what aspect of the Judiciary we are whining about;
if it is in regards to the functioning of the Judges and Magistrates,
I would say, hand off. Nobody is in a better position to dispense
justice but those sitting on the benches. I think that Guyana is
at a certain crossroad that these various bodies are trying to define
their boundaries and assert their respective rights. Why only now
they have realized these things? Nevertheless, it is better late
than never. The granting of bail to a murder accused certainly is
something not desirable. It is an extremely dangerous precedent,
but in light of the fact that justice delayed is justice denied,
if the State cannot ensure early trial for prisoners, then a great
injustice is being perpetuated against people when loved ones are
being put away without any hope of a speedy trial. Our prisons,
unlike most others in the civilized world have always been used
as an institution to punish people, instead of being a place where
men are supposed to be reformed. A lot of people sit in prison wasting
their lives away without any hope. Some of them are obviously guilty,
but there is a large number of them who are not supposed to be there.
A man who inflicts injury or harm to someone in defense against
an aggression on himself, property or family, should not be made
to suffer as those who have committed serious crimes in “cold blood
“. A few years ago I was in Guyana and I happened to talk to a miner
who spent 4 years in jail. The miner had just come out of the interior
with his gold and was walking towards the Gold Board to sell his
precious metal. He was a very honest and hard working man and never
had any problem with the Laws of Guyana. While walking from the
Bus Park, a robber grabbed onto his bag, but he would not let go.
A fight ensued after the robber whipped out a knife, and the miner
engaged him. Unfortunately, the robber died. The miner spent 4 years
in jail. His once beautiful family life fell apart. Fortunately,
the Judge, a woman, conducted quite a few interviews with the accused
while he was being incarcerated. I was so touched when I learnt
that a Trial Judge went to such length to dispense justice. The
miner was set free, but the trauma of four years of someone’s life
being taken away from them, when they are not responsible for an
event cannot be comprehended.
A lot of cases are being dismissed by the courts in Guyana, not
because the people on the bench do not have the loved ones of the
victims at heart, but the Judges and Magistrates can only deal with
the facts that are presented in front of them. The Prosecution keeps
losing cases in the courts against the criminals, and this is just
a reflection of the quality of the police.
Now, it is not only the prisons of Guyana that are being used as
mean to punish and take revenge on people. It is happening everyday
at the lower level of society, such as various lockups throughout
the country. Police lock men up for minor things in Guyana. It is
very common for them to do so on Fridays and long weekends, and
they would just disappear until the next working day. In most cases,
not even the Sergeant that is in charge can help you. Can you image
Sergeants sitting down in police stations and have no ideas as to
why men are thrown in lock up at stations that they are in charge
of. Something has to be done about these practices, Officers at
all stations must be updated as to who are in the lock-ups and for
what. They must be able to grant people bails within a specified
period or pass them through the courts as soon as possible. In Guyana
they call it “cowboy”. Let stop “cowboy” people.
The Chancellor and Chief Justice must also look into the practice
of all its members. Guyanese do not forget things easily.
Some attorneys are engaged in secret relationships with their female
staff. Some take money from their clients and do not show up on
court dates, and complaints to the Bar Association get you nowhere.
Cases get put off for unreasonably long periods. This is very inconvenient
for those living abroad and have land cases or other ongoing litigations
in Guyana. Most times it is the party that is living in Guyana that
turns out to be the winner.
Red Lion
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