Legal Empowerment in Guyana This process is crucial for people who are deeply impoverished or belong to marginalized communities. Today too many people enjoy none of the benefits of the rule of law. They live in countries or regions where there are no functioning, uncorrupted court systems or law enforcement agencies. When they find themselves under arrest, often arbitrarily, they do not enjoy the benefit of defense counsel. When they are cheated by an employer or have had their land seized by government-connected thugs, they cannot seek redress through a civil suit or criminal proceeding. When they have suffered acts of criminal violence, they cannot turn to the police with any confidence of finding help. Millions of such people have no birth certificates or national identification cards, the documents required to obtain health-care benefits, to exercise the right to vote, to obtain identification documents for their children, or to hold title to land and secure their rightful inheritance. Recently a friend mentioned that Varshnie Singh was not able to get a lawyer to represent her and three ex officers of the NBS are still fighting for their rights. They are innocent but the system has become so fetid to be on par with the culture of Jagdeo and the followers.Legal empowerment is beyond most Guyanese. We need to persuade members of the UN General Assembly that development targets should involve not just access to education, healthcare, clean water and social needs but Access to Justice. Those amongst us who care for the basic needs and justice must sign the petition in support of the three men from the New Building Society who have been wrongfully penalized by the PPP administration and the pariahs of society who are enjoying the benefits of parasites.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 15:41:25 +0000
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