Dear Editor,
On July 28, Red Thread Women (RT) issued a press statement about a threatening email sent to them the day before. The threats were very chilling and detailed, identifying a particular car with car number attached that they should be on the lookout for, and stating that $10 million was paid to a hitman by someone who was upset that RT was providing information to the US Embassy about them. In their press statement RT reported that this was not the first time that similar threatening emails had been sent to them. Red Thread reported the first threat on 7 April, 2023 and informed the public about this threat. The police have not indicated any results of the investigation and RT indicated a lack of confidence in the cybercrime unit now taking any action. Additionally, RT stated for the record that they have absolutely no acquaintance with the family named in the email.
We call on State authorities, in particular the Commissioner of Police, the Guyana Police Force and its Cybercrime Unit, to give an update on the status and progress of the reported threats. And take all necessary action to ensure that all past and present threats against RT are fully investigated, take action to charge and prosecute those responsible and ensure that RT members are provided with the necessary protection where they live and where they work. We view these threats as attempts to silence RT who as a collective of grassroots women have been in the forefront of not only speaking out but protesting against sexual and gender-based violence, femicide, child abuse crimes, racial and ethnic discrimination, extractive violence, while advocating for the right of grassroots women and their families to a good quality of life and offering support services, counselling and court support assistance to women and children survivors. We see these threats to RT as a part of a pattern of intimidation against Indigenous organizations and individuals, civil society organizations, community-based groups, media organizations and journalists and other independent persons advocating for the protection of human, environmental, political, social and cultural rights, free and informed consent and non- discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and nationality. We are dismayed over the unequal ways in which the laws and investigations of crimes are being handled in the justice system, in particular the recent Dharamlall case and the Mahdia fire tragedy. We call on State authorities to ensure that all are equal under the law, as stated in our Constitution, (Article 149 D). We call on the government and all Guyanese to actively uphold the rights of Red Thread, civil society and all citizens to exercise their constitutional rights to life, liberty, security of person, right to a healthy environment, human rights, freedom of expression, assembly and association without fear of intimidation, loss of jobs and income, threats and other forms of undue pressure.
Sincerely,
Guyana Policy Forum
GTU – Guyana Trans United
Help & Shelter
OGGN – Oil & Gas Governance
Network SASOD – Society Against
Sexual Orientation Discrimination
SWAG – Sexualities, Women and
Genders Penelope Howell -Coverden
Representative
Abbyssinian Carto
Andre Brandli
Akola Thompson
Alfred Bhulai
Alissa Trotz
Bonita Harris
Charlene Wilkinson
Colin Klautky
Danuta Radzik
Daphne Kersting
Darshanand Khusial
Elizabeth Deane Hughes
Goretti Lewis
Dr Hollis France
Ingrid Sarabo
Immaculata Casimero
Janette Bulkan
Jocelyn Dow
Joel Simpson
Josephine Whitehead
Kathleen Whalen
Kenrick Hunte
Kofi Kwayana
Dr Maya Trotz
Medino Abraham
Melinda Janki
Mike Persaud
Mosa Telford
Dr Nesha Haniff
Nicole Burrowes
Nigel Westmaas
Pamela Fraser
Pamela Nauth
Rev Pat Shreerattan Bisnauth
Raphael Singh
Dr Ruth Rodney
Salima Bacchus – Hinds
Dr Savitri Persaud
Sinikka Henry
Dr. Suriya Ismail
Dr Terence Roopnaraine
Vanda Radzik
Vidyaratha Kissoon
Dr Vickram Tamboli
Dr Wazir Mohamed