Backer’s remarks in Parliament deemed as offensive

Oct 24, 2009 News

…House asks that she be found in contempt

At Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly, Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh moved that Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Deborah Backer, be held in contempt of the National Assembly.
He applied to the Speaker of the House to refer the matter to the Committee of Privileges.
Dr Singh called on the House to deem some remarks made by Backer to be offensive and condemned by the house.
At a previous sitting of the National Assembly, during the debate on a motion to have members of the Joint Services deployed to Trinidad and Tobago for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government conference, Backer said that the People’s National Congress was worried that members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) would go to the twin-island republic to “torture people.”
Backer reminded the gathering of the GDF’s alleged involvement in the extra judicial killings of more than 200 Guyanese men.
Even though Baker said that the PNCR “unhesitantly” agreed with the motion, she made mention of the Constitution, in which is contained a convention against torture.
Baker added that the government conveniently bring up and dismiss treaties, adding that a stop should be put to such behaviours.
Singh told the National Assembly that Baker explicitly said, “We (PNC) are worried that they (GDF) would go and torture.”
Dr Singh said that the People’s Progressive Party unanimously disapproves and disassociates itself from the offensive statement. He asked that Baker be held in contempt.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, told the gathering that he was unable to contact Backer for a response.
However, he has determined that there was a finding prima facie case made out against Backer and as such referred the matter to the Committee of Privileges.
The Shadow Minister was not present at the sitting, as the PNC decided to boycott yesterday’s National Assembly.
The main opposition party announced its policy of selected participation, because of the PPPC’s rejection of the attempt to discuss the ‘Roger’ Khan affair made by the PNCR.
At yesterday’s PNC press conference, Basil Williams, said that until such time as the government decides to positively respond to the call of the Joint Opposition Political Parties (JOPP) for an international inquiry into the criminal activities in Guyana, they will continue to boycott the National Assembly.

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Backer’s remarks in Parliament deemed as offensive

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