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From: Send an Instant Message "Khem
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The RULE OF LAW:- Under the rule of law criminals are allowed their due day in court a man is innocent until proven guilty. This is what democracies are based on, not on flagrant violation of right.
 
FACT:- The rule of law has been absent from Guyana's democracy for the past 30 years. The rule that has been applied is the rule of racism. Indians have been the target of criminals for many years. Where was the rule of law when the Wismar massacre occured? Where was the rule of law when Burnham siezed thousand of acres of lands belonging to Indian people? Where was the rule of law, when 20 police officers were brutally murdered?. Where was the rule of law when thousands of Guyanese citizens were left with no choice but to leave their homeland? Where was the rule of law when women were raped and brutalised? Where is the rule of law when criminals are protected in Buxton? People are now claiming rule of law under the PPP, why did not claim rule of law under the PNC? If they did any demonstrations under the PNC it would have been an excuse for them to kill a few. The allegations against Gajraj by a know criminal is nothing but an allegation until proven otherwise, besides no one is coming forward with any proof, is there??? It is amazing how quickly America and Canada rescind his Visa. It seems though the rule of law only apply to Indian people....
 
Khem
The rule of law must be upheld
Wednesday, February 4th 2004

Dear Editor,

It really does not make any sense. Why would Mr Gajraj move away from the "Rule of Law" and illegally sanction a vigilante "phantom force" to deal with a crime situation? As Minister of Home Affairs he had  the authority  to deal with it legally. He  had the power  to put together a Special Task Force with special pay, technology and equipment who would have used the same paid informants to get at the criminals.

It is true that following the "Jailbreak 5"  criminals seemed to have  taken over and the public perception was that the police force was ineffective, the judicial system   corrupt and the Government unable to provide basic safety to life and property. It is understandable that ordinary citizens were driven to take the law into their own hands  to kill these criminals themselves.  It is also understandable  for  people  to   shout "good riddance... we have done a good deed.. we have saved tax-payers money .. crime has been reduced." Perhaps at the time it may seem that they are right. But the thing with this vigilante justice is that it always gets out of hand and the mob takes over. Pretty soon there is a complete breakdown of law and order  that threatens the life and property of every citizen. It is not the way for our people to go.

The Rule Of Law is that which defines us as a  civilized people. It is  the foundation of our democracy. This Government has spared no effort to boast of restoring this democracy to the people. Now they mustĀ demonstrate their commitment to the principles of that democracy.

The allegations of George Bacchus are frightening. If the Home Affairs Minister did sanction operation "Phantom Force" then it  raises the possibility  that the PPP and the Government had knowledge of it.

So yes, we  must have an independent inquiry. Yes, Mr Gajraj must  remove  himself and be far away from the investigation. But no, he should not be  lynched by a  bunch of signatures without due process. The principles of the Rule of Law must be upheld by this Government and anyone seeking to be such.

 

Yours faithfully,

Shawn Mangru