Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Democracy is built not only on free elections, but on justice and human rights

Jan 16, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
As we commence a new year under the PPP administration, and in particular, the Jagdeo Administration, it is expected those of us who seek to analyse, critique and highlight its usual transgressions and violations will continue to be told that Mr. Jagdeo and the PPP were democratically elected.
As such we have no right to speak. In fact the government and its cohorts will tell us that the PNC was never democratically elected, and they and others have no moral authority to speak because the PPP was elected through the process of free elections.
The issue of free elections has ever since been described as democracy. Today I take time out to raise a few issues about free elections and the results that can necessarily emerge from it. Democracy is seen as power of the people at work for the benefit of the entire society. Democracy can bring about a government elected with the participation of all the country’s citizens. Democracy can see the election of a government that only pursues the interest of its group; put measures in place to curtail or remove the rights of minorities; legislate laws to silence critics; suppress media, dissent and independence; and distribute state assets to their families and friends.
Being democratically elected does not give any government the right to transgress law, trample on the rights of citizens, and make unjust laws. Those who argue for the upholding of the law, justice and respect for human rights are accused of being undemocratic. The time has come for those who label critics undemocratic to revisit that argument.
Democracy can be placed in the hands of dictators, fascists and racists. Let us not forget Adolf Hitler was the democratically elected Chancellor of Germany. Hitler’s belief in the superiority of the Aryan race and the inferiority of Jews led to their marginalisation, torture and elimination. This experience informs us that we should be wary of tyrannical democratic governments, and we should only support and respect a democracy that is built and sustained on justice and fair play. It should also inform us that as citizens we have a duty to watch for these telltale signs and speak out when we see them emerging. Our failure to do so can have dire consequences for all of us.
Over the years the Jagdeo government has run roughshod over the citizens, particularly the African community. These transgressions are overlooked or justified under the pretext of democracy. For instance, this government has destroyed  the bauxite industry pension fund, the largest single pool of money owned by the African working class; terminated the state subvention to Critchlow Labour College which provided education to a student population comprising 97 percent Africans; terminated the Trades Union Congress’ subvention after GAWU and NAACIE left the Congress in support of the police shooting of unarmed public servants; tortured citizens; refused to investigate the murders by the police and the death squad of hundreds of young men; and allowed thousands of jobs to be lost without any attempt made at alternative employment or retraining to meet new skills need.
The time has come for those who think persons should not demand a better society to clearly understand that the democratic governments of Hitler and Jagdeo were/are driven by polices that have been racist, tyrannical, intolerable, undesirable and destructive to groups and society.
Lincoln Lewis

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega Auction; Shepherd, Powell snapped up by RCB and KKR, respectively

Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega...

Nov 26, 2024

  SportsMax – Guyanese hard-hitting left hander Sherfane Rutherford will get the opportunity to shine on T20 franchise cricket’s biggest stage once again after being picked up by the...
Read More
Roach and Seales star as West Indies close in on Antigua Test victory

Roach and Seales star as West Indies close in on...

Nov 26, 2024

Delroy Tyrrell continues to excel at Oneonta State University

Delroy Tyrrell continues to excel at Oneonta...

Nov 26, 2024

Ramdass Royals Crowned Champions of the Inaugural Windies Masters Cricket Extravaganza

Ramdass Royals Crowned Champions of the Inaugural...

Nov 26, 2024

KFC Guyana distance self from delayed payment of GFF Elite League prizes

KFC Guyana distance self from delayed payment of...

Nov 26, 2024

Ravens and Royals ready for epic Elite 16 final showdown

Ravens and Royals ready for epic Elite 16 final...

Nov 26, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]