by Gordon French
Caribbean Net News Guyana Correspondent
E-mail: milldoc2000@yahoo.com
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Guyana Bar association (GBA) has found some comfort in the fact that Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur has broken his silence over the treatment dished out to Guyanese by his citizens.
President of the GBA, Attorney-at-Law, Joseph Harmon told Caribbean Net News that the Association is pleased that the Barbados Prime Minister has appealed for better treatment of Guyanese.
“It is good to hear that the Prime Minister Arthur has made such an appeal, especially at a time when there are questions lingering about the ongoing harassment of Guyanese visitors to Barbados,� said Harmon.
Prime Minister Arthur made an impassionate plea for Barbadians to be more accepting of Guyanese nationals who come to Barbados looking for work. The Barbados Prime Minister also alluded to the contribution Guyanese have made to the development of his country.
In response, Harmon said, “I believe that the recent debate may have forced a response from the Barbados PM, however it is now clear that the continued reports of harassment of Guyanese is not a government policy.�
It was three weeks ago that the GBA threatened legal action against Barbados as it added its voice to the heated debate over the treatment meted out to 35 Guyanese who tried to enter Barbados at the Grantley Adams International Airport on July 19.
Harmon said, “The biggest challenge now in presenting a legal case is finances.� He noted that statements have been pouring in but the reality remains that it will be a costly undertaking.
[align=left]Harmon supports calls for the Guyana and Barbadian government to work closely to resolve the issue of Guyanese harassment. [/align]