Human Rights activist Sherlina Nageer and a few of her supporters joined the parents of slain activist Courtney Crum-Ewing in a protest outside the Attorney General’s (AG) Office yesterday.
Nageer has inspired protestors over the last week to demonstrate against Minister of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran, who verbally abused her in front of the Whim Magistrate’s Court last week Monday. The protesters have labelled Ramsaran’s conduct during their encounter and afterward as unacceptable and have called for his resignation or dismissal from his post as Minister of Health.
This call has been echoed by the western missions and local civil society organisations. Members of the governing PPP/C have spoken out against him as well, although a PPP statement issued last Friday argued that his actions were blown out of proportion.
Holding a placard that read, “Bheri, Nandlall + all miscreants in power must go,” Nageer told Stabroek News that the decision to stage yesterday’s protest in front of the AG’s Office was for two reasons. “We want to refocus attention on Nandlall’s issue—reminding the public that this is not just Ramsaran—while offering support to the parents of Crum-Ewing,” she said
Attorney General Anil Nandlall had been the target of a one-man protest by Courtney Crum-Ewing after a recording surfaced of Nandlall making threatening remarks against Kaieteur News, trying to arrange a sexual liaison between his uncle and a Kaieteur News reporter and admitting his knowledge of criminal activities.
Incensed by Nandlall’s behaviour, Crum-Ewing held a daily protest in front of the AG’s office and began a public mobilisation campaign through which he encouraged voters to use their votes to remove the incumbent government from office.
On March 10th, while encouraging persons to vote for the opposition, Crum-Ewing was shot and killed at Diamond, East Bank Demerara. His death prompted calls for a speedy investigation and for his killer/s to be brought to justice however no one has been charged to date.
Crum-Ewing’s parents, Donna and Eustace Harcourt, have continued their son’s protest in front of the AG’s office. The have committed to protesting daily until they receive “justice” for their son.
Donna Harcourt said her family has not received any recent information from the police on the investigation into her son’s death.
“The last we heard from them was when they were trying to open his phone. I gave them his bank information, everything, but they said they still have not been able to open it,” she said yesterday.