Bar Association and Women Lawyers group slam SOCU over “unlawful” arrest of Attorney

In its statement, the Bar Association said that the rule of law and the fundamental right to Counsel are stated hallmarks of a democratic society. The Association noted that the actions by SOCU have threatened the foundations of democracy and stern actions should follow those who were involved in the matter.

Bar Association and Women Lawyers group slam SOCU over “unlawful” arrest of Attorney

The Bar Association of Guyana and the Guyana Women Lawyers Association have expressed their shock and disgust over the actions of the Special Ogranized Crime Unit (SOCU) in the arrest of Attorney-at-Law Tamieka Clarke.

The Attorney was arrested and detained after she advised her client who was being questioned by SOCU to remain silent.

In its statement, the Bar Association said that the rule of law and the fundamental right to Counsel are stated hallmarks of a democratic society. The Association noted that the actions by SOCU have threatened the foundations of democracy and stern actions should follow those who were involved in the matter.

“The Bar Association unreservedly and unequivocally condemns the actions of the Guyana Police Force.  Such action is disturbing, perverse, unlawful, oppressive and wholly unacceptable. We call on the Commissioner of Police to forthwith issue an apology to Ms. Tamieka Clarke, Attorney-at-Law, compensate Ms. Clarke for her unlawful imprisonment, launch a full investigation into the matter at hand with such necessary disciplinary action enforced swiftly including charges being laid against the offending officer(s), there being no lawful grounds for the arrest; and  disciplinary action including termination of any officer(s) who were aware of and allowed this type conduct,” the Association said this afternoon.

The Attorney was arrested this morning and kept in custody by members of the Guyana Police Force’s Special Organized Crime Unit for almost an hour.

The Bar Association said the actions of SOCU cannot be supported and must be condemned.

“Today the actions of the members of the Guyana Police Force’s Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) towards our colleague, Ms. Tamieka Clarke, Attorney-at-Law sought to destroy the foundations of our democracy,” The Bar Association said.

The Association also said that the arrest of the Attorney comes followed a threat that was made against her earlier this week that she would be arrested if she advised her client not to speak to the investigators.

The Women Lawyers Association in a separate statement reminded that an Attorney has the legal right and responsibility to offer legal counsel to their client and that one such responsibility is to remind the client that he/she cannot be compelled to give evidence in a criminal matter, which is enshrined in Article 144(7) of the Constitution of Guyana.

“The Attorney-at-Law advising her client that he has a right to remain silent during an interview is not outside of the scope of the law”, the statement noted.

The Women Lawyers have issued a call on the Commissioner of Police to issue an apology and clear the way for an investigation to be promptly conducted into the actions of SOCU.

The Guyana Police Force has since announced that its Office of Professional Responsibility has opened an investigation into the incident.

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