Media Center

Press Release


OAS CONDEMNS “IN THE STRONGEST TERMS” KILLINGS IN BARTICA, GUYANA

  February 20, 2008



OAS Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Albert Ramdin, responding to reports of attacks in which 13 people were murdered in the community of Bartica, Guyana, on Sunday, said “the Organization of American States, in the strongest terms, condemns these barbarous acts which violate the dignity of life and common decency, and undermine confidence in the rule of law.

This statement comes in the wake of reports that a group of armed men went on a killing rampage Sunday night, in the mining town of Bartica, some 130 kilometers from the Guyanese capital city of Georgetown. Assistant Secretary General Ramdin also stated that the OAS had conveyed condolences to the victims’ families, and expressed solidarity with the people and government of Guyana.

He called on all stakeholders in Guyana to work together to strengthen confidence in the law enforcement agencies in the country, while encouraging the law enforcement agencies to speedily bring to justice the perpetrators of these reprehensible acts. Ambassador Ramdin urged the international community to provide whatever assistance it can to the people of Guyana as they grapple with this enormous tragedy, and praised the Government for its efforts at ensuring the security of its citizenry.

Reference: E-046/08