The A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) is calling for the removal of Roshan Khan from the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) over a statement he made on social media.
“He is no longer fit on the ERC, and must be removed forthwith,” said Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon during an address to the nation moments ago. Harmon described Khan’s statement as “divisive” and “racial”.
Khan, in a Facebook post said that “Indians in Berbice need to create their watch and protection groups. Equipped with batons and sticks for self defense only. Be firm and clever but never be the aggressor. Protect minorities in your communities”.
His post was subsequently edited. It now reads: “In Berbice Guyanese need to create their watch and protection groups. Equipped with batons and sticks for self defense only. Be firm and clever but never be the aggressor. Protect minorities in your communities”.
Harmon went on to say that the commission is being used by the Irfaan Ali government to target the party’s political opponents. He said that this is evident in President Irfaan Ali’s call to the ERC to investigate comments he [Harmon] made during a visit to the community-in-grieving over the killing of two cousins, 16-year-old Isaiah and 19-year-old, Joel Henry at Number Three Village earlier this week.
The Opposition Leader is calling for an end to “political rhetoric” and commencement of meaningful dialogue to bring an end to the ongoing violence in the country.
Harmon said today that the coalition rejects the ‘politicization’ of the ERC.
Ali’s call to the ERC came as a result of comments Harmon made during his visit to the community, where he and former President, David Granger told residents that they should form their own “self-defense” society.
So far, two others have been killed during protest actions, with several injured.
Seventeen-year-old, Haresh Singh – a relative of one of the suspects in the Henry boys’ murder probe – and a 34-year-old Bath Settlement resident, Pritipaul Hargobin, who was previously identified by police as Chatterpaul Harripaul, met their demise since the commencement of demonstrations.
Singh’s body was found aback Number Three village, while Hargobin was killed in a confrontation with protestors at Bath Settlement.
