Georgetown, Guyana.
June 21, 2022
For immediate release to all media houses.
PRESS RELEASE
AFC WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE IS A ROGUE SQUAD
The Alliance for Change (AFC) calls on the government and the Guyana Police Force to state whether a rogue squad exists within the organisation’s structures and corruptly uses its authority to intimidate and harass citizens.
We are very concerned that the Leader of the Opposition was recently the subject of an illegal tailgate by these rogue elements as he went about his lawful business. The tailgating of the Leader of the Opposition is an act of intimidation and harassment by a fearful State of the voices of reason. We know this tactic as a feature of undemocratic, totalitarian regimes, but we warn the government not to place Guyana in this repressive grip. Unfortunately, there have been other instances of visits by the rogue to people’s homes and places of business without a clear cause.
Lest we forget the cases of Orin Boston, murdered by police, and Orin Klass, whose families in Essequibo had the door to their home kicked in and the house ransacked by members of a special police unit. Mr Klass and his family are yet to receive compensation for the trauma and damage inflicted during the ordeal.
We are also mindful of the appearance of state agents suddenly at Stabroek News to frighten its staff after questions about a Minister’s involvement with the company – Western Logistics Guyana Incorporated, were raised in the Sunday exclusive.
It is even more alarming that the government and leadership of the police force proclaim to be unaware of these illegal activities by persons operating under the cloak of the police force. Unquestionably, this is a frightening development reminiscing of our recent past where Guyanese were either murdered or disappeared; to this day, some cases remain unresolved.
Since the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) assumed power in 2020, there has been an increase in illegal activities, including detention and raids by the police on law-abiding citizens. As a result, many of our compatriots are expressing fear of a repressive state seeking revenge and annihilation of descent.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic, leading up to the 2020 elections, promised a social contract with people to bring prosperity. Instead, our experience thus far is of a corrupt authoritarian regime which has raised the spectre of shame on Guyana for a myriad of nefarious activities.
The AFC cautions the government to adhere to constitutional and legal conventions in pursuing a lawful, peaceful and orderly state and that any attempt to weaken the rule of law and repress freedom of speech and expression will be resisted. END.
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