The Canada-Guyana Forum (CGF) is calling for international assistance in the aftermath of the killings at Lusignan and Bartica even as it lobbies the Canadian government for support.
According to a press release CGF members Harry Hergash and Alissa Trotz met with Member of Parliament Russ Hiebert, Chair of the Canadian Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Ottawa to discuss the issue. The group had unanimously decided at a CGF meeting on February 16 to ask the Canadian government to intervene in the situation.
CGF members also suggested a number of ways that the Canadian government might extend support to Guyana including issuing a statement of support and a positive response to Guyana’s request for assistance. The group also said if Guyana had made no request, Canadian High Commissioner Charles Court could promote such a request through dialogue with Minister of Foreign Affairs Rudy Insanally. It said too the high commissioner could facilitate public discussion and meaningful involvement by all sections of the Guyanese population, representatives of civil society institutions and political parties on the issue.
It said too an external, independent fact-finding mission “whose credibility is unassailable” should be mandated to investigate crime and to address the local security situation.
Hiebert said that following consultation, including with the high commissioner, the Canadian government would inform them of any decisions taken with regard to the requests.
He also urged other Guyanese and groups in the Diaspora to make similar representations for support and assistance from the governments in the countries where they now reside.
CGF is an independent NGO comprised of members of the Toronto Guyanese Diaspora of diverse racial and religious background and various political persuasions, the release said.
