Dear Editor,
The nation wishes to have an explanation from the President, the Attorney General and possibly the Minister of Home Affairs as to the real reason why those on death row condemned to be hanged and who do not have motions pending in the courts are not executed or their sentences commuted to life. There are at least five on death row who have no pending motions.
Every day that goes by constitutes a further breach of the human, constitutional and fundamental rights of these men who should either be hanged or their sentences commuted to life, some having been on death row for over ten years.
Can the President also say why in a country that purports to advocate democracy there hasn’t been a functioning Prerogative Board of Mercy for the last eight years. This confirms the suspicion of many that the government of Guyana has no intention of resuming hanging or commuting death sentences as it is this body that makes the recommendation to the President after a man’s death sentence is confirmed by the final court. No one can be hanged unless this body recommends to the President.
Yours faithfully,
C.A. Nobrega-Gibbs