(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is facing mounting criticism after officers arrested and briefly detained three female civil society activists during a government-organised national prayer service at the Kingston Seawall on Wednesday evening, in an incident critics say raises serious constitutional breaches.

Sherlina Nageer, Salima Bacchus-Hinds, and Romola Lucas were taken into custody on July 22 after staging a quiet demonstration calling for the resignation and prosecution of Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill. The vigil had been organised to honour the victims of the MV Barima, the Georgetown-to-Port Kaituma ferry that capsised and sank on Saturday, July 18.

According to a media statement issued Thursday by the demonstrators, a group of five women stood on the periphery of the Bandstand holding signs demanding political accountability for what they described as a “completely preventable” maritime tragedy. Witnesses said the women engaged peacefully with passersby throughout the prayers and songs that marked the service.