The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has raised concerns over the decision to charge three Transport and Harbours Department employees with 72 counts of murder in connection with the MV Barima tragedy, warning that the search for accountability must not come at the expense of the rule of law or the rights of the accused.

In a statement issued this week, the human rights body said it is closely monitoring public exchanges between defence attorneys and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) over the unprecedented charges, which were filed before the completion of the official investigations into the disaster.

Captain Kevin Price, 40, Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts, 42, and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson, 33, appeared before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where the indictable charges were read to them. They were not required to plead and were remanded to prison. The matter has since been transferred to the Charity Magistrate’s Court and adjourned to August 3.