Dear Editor,
It is with profound sadness, and despair that I pen this letter, of both condolence, and deep concern for what can only be described as yet another savage and cowardly act perpetrated against a harmless young professional.
The incident I refer to is the brutal slaying of, a young professional, 26 year old Senior Environmental Officer Alicia Foster, who was senselessly executed at her residence on Sunday 12 October 2008. This model, young woman was undoubtedly in the prime of her career, in a swiftly developing and internationalized area of work. Those behind her murder have certainly robbed Guyana of a promising expert in the growing field of environmental studies.
Her brutal end reminds us of the dangerously criminalized state in which we live, or merely exist. We seem to be vulnerable whether we are free citizens or whether we are guests of the state, locked away in a prison cell. Whether we are professionals, union leaders, politicians, ministers, judges, homeless, destitute, or just an average citizen trying to get by. The fact is, the state of our security has deteriorated to a level where our constitutionally guaranteed “safety and protection” seems to be meaningless.
It is time that the government presents it crime fighting strategy document to the nation. After the second massacre there was lots of talk coming out of the Office of the President, and the Ministry of Home Affairs about this strategy paper. Many stakeholders met to propose solutions to the crime problem. We still don’t know what in fact, if anything from these meetings was taken seriously as measures to be implemented to combat the crime situation.
While the government plays politics with crime, citizens continue to be murdered and criminally attacked with impunity. I believe it is time that we all demand with one voice that enough is enough. It is time the President addresses the nation on how his government intends to deal with the issue of crime and torture, to ensure the safety of Guyanese.
To the family and relatives of Alicia Foster, I extend my deepest sympathy, I cannot imagine the pain you are feeling, but let your trust in God continue to guide your every thought. The evil behind Alicia’s death will be revealed.
Yours faithfully,
Lurlene Nestor
