The Guyana Bar Association (GBA) has expressed shock and is disturbed by the brutal slaying of citizens in Bartica.

In a release the association said coming as it does on the heels of the equally tragic events in Lusignan, a pattern seems to be emerging that suggests an agenda to instill fear amongst us and bring down the democratic and law abiding foundations of Guyanese society.

The association said it is a pattern involving brazen attacks on law enforcement in an attempt to demoralise and ultimately dismantle our security apparatus, which must be resisted whenever it occurs. As previously noted, every new wave seems higher than its predecessor and nothing short of our nation’s collective resolve must be brought to bear in order to defeat this menace.

The GBA said: “As we begin a new year in the annals of our proud history as a republic, we call on all sectors and strata of Guyanese society to stand together to face this common threat and wish to urge a clear, coherent and above all, a socially cohesive and systemic response aimed at bringing this situation and the circumstances that engendered it to a close.”

The release further said: “The GBA calls on all political parties to meaningfully recognise and engage with civil society aimed at a genuine partnership, while at the same time urging that civil society responds soberly and responsibly in the quest for a stable and durable relationship built on mutual trust and respect.

“The GBA also expresses deepest sympathies to all those affected by this latest display of inhuman behaviour and repeats its call that no lawful effort be spared to bring those responsible to justice with the utmost dispatch.”