OAS pledge ‘peace and security’ support following Linden killings

Guyana: Following a one month stand-off between residents of Region 10, particularly Linden and the Joint Services, Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza, has pledged full support to the Government of Guyana in order to maintain peace and security.
The Secretary General has also pledged support towards the strengthening of human rights and democracy “following the recent unrest in Linden.”
Three demonstrators were shot and killed on July 18, purportedly by ranks of the Guyana Police Force.
Scores had also been injured in the fracas including women and children resulting in the one month stand off.
The ‘depressed’ community was at the time protesting a proposed electricity tariff increase.
OAS Secretary General Insulza, has stressed however, that it is “important not to rush to judgment, to allow local authorities to resolve the problems which had arisen and he expressed his confidence in the ability of the Government of Guyana to correct the situation.”
He has also welcomed the agreements which had been reached among the Government, the Political Opposition and the Regional Authorities and expressed the hope that the Commission of Inquiry (COI) which has been established would be able to clarify the events which had occurred.