Dear Editor,
We have had our “Will Smith moment” in Guyana with a most unexpected and inexplicable act, as described by Constable Shawnette Bollers. At the time of the alleged assault, Bollers was serving as a guard at the home of the father of the alleged assailant, Nirvan Singh. She stated that racial slurs and physical abuse were inflicted on her by Singh. Even in a society with less racial tension, there would be a hue and cry from the populace and a thorough investigation demanded. It is assumed that Guyana is at that point where much emphasis is being placed on social cohesion and the diffusion of racial tensions which have existed from time immemorial. An apology has been issued by the alleged assailant’s father, and that in itself, should serve as an admission of guilt. It would be painful to later think, if the attack is confirmed, that the perpetrator’s father once held the highest legal position in the country, and thus administered justice. On the occasions when I have interacted with him, the former Chancellor of the Judiciary, I have found him to be a very refined gentleman. Let us hope that he, and the government, will support justice now.
Should the result of an investigation validate Boller’s claim, it is hoped that the most severe punishment available under the law, will be imposed. The Bar Association should undoubtedly play its part in this saga. It is also left for the Police Association to vigorously represent Bollers. The competency of Boller’s attorney will not be questioned, regardless of the result of the legal case, but there are further recourses. The Racial Hostility Act 1964, Cap 23:01 rules against racial hostility. The Representation of the People’s (Amendment) Act No.1 of 2001 is another mechanism created under the laws of Guyana. The Ethnic Relations Commission and The Human Rights Commission are two of the Constitutional Rights Commissions available to Bollers to seek redress. The rights of Guyanese have been expressly outlined in Article 5 of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Hopefully, it will be settled before getting to the stage of lodging a formal complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Commission. There has been much emphasis on social cohesion since the fiasco of the 2020 elections. Let us now see how strong the government is in its desire to make racial harmony a reality and to dispel any doubts about their resolve to improve race relations in Guyana.
Sincerely,
Conrad Barrow
