Latest update December 2nd, 2024 1:00 AM

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

Latest News

The dreams of CARICOM founding fathers are now under serious threat

Dec 21, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
The rights of citizens to live and work in the region is under threat and this is evident in the collaboration between the Guyana Government and CARICOM to deny Carl Greenidge his right to express his opinion at a private function as to how the country of his birth is being managed, yet at the same time we witness CARICOM’s refusal to raise a voice when hundreds of young men were executed by phantom squads that had the support of the Guyana Government with the use of the state’s machinery.
The termination of Carl Greenidge’s relationship with CARICOM regardless of how it is being justified brings into serious question the role of CARICOM as an institution that adumbrates and advocates principles guided by international conventions.
The issue before us borders on one’s rights as a citizen and Greenidge’s statements when taken into the court of public opinion stand out. Isn’t it a fact that there are serious concerns about how Guyana is being managed?
And for the Guyana Government to raise objections, to what Greenidge has said, is indicative of their constant efforts to try to silence him and more so denying him the right to work.
We must be reminded that Bharrat Jagdeo while having different political views and supported a different political party was given a job at State Planning when Greenidge was the Minister of Finance.
While these facts were known, Jagdeo’s right to work was honoured.
When the PPP came to office in 1992 and Carl Greenidge was on his way to take up an appointment as Deputy Secretary General of the African Caribbean and Pacific State (ACP), all efforts were made by the PPP to deny him the right to work, and this right was only honoured because of the strident and principled position taken up by the Barbados Government.
While the government sought to deny Greenidge, Rasleigh Jackson and Clarence Ellis the right to work as international public servants, at the same time they were aggressively protecting and promoting the said right for Mohamed Shahabudeen and Rudy Insanally, in as much as all the named persons served the PNC government.
The issue before us speaks of the double standard and discrimination that exist within Guyana and now given tacit support by CARICOM.
The leaders of CARICOM sought to denounce the Lusignan massacre but when given an opportunity to investigate and pronounce on the extra judicial murders of hundreds where this government that targets Greendige has refused to activate the Coroner’s Act, which is a requirement under the law, the nation is yet to hear CARICOM joining with the ABC countries to ask for a Commission of Inquiry.
The dreams of CARICOM founding fathers are now under serious threat. It was never their intention to deny citizens their rights and freedoms.
CARICOM was established in deference to respecting these rights and freedoms under a body that allows for the harnessing of the region’s skills, respecting of our diversity and the trading of goods and services for the collective good.
CARICOM is today on trial for failing to upholding what it was established to protect, advance and defend.
It is hope they go back to the drawing board and treat with this issue based on principles in respect for Greenidge’s rights, not to be the stooge of another to execute a political vendetta at the expence of regional development and the rights of the region’s peoples.
This issue requires the voices and muscles of every institution and individual to see justice is served.
This is not about Carl Greenidge, this is an onslaught of our rights and institutions, of which Greenidge happens to be the symbol today and if this goes unchallenged, tomorrow it may be you for daring to exercise your right and freedom.
The Guyanese institution, like the PNC and the group that nominated him to be the PNC’s presidential candidate must robustly come out against what the Jagdeo administration has done to this gentleman.
Lincoln Lewis

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Wharton’s brilliance propels Chase’s Academic to another Republic Bank U18 title

Wharton’s brilliance propels Chase’s Academic to another Republic...

Dec 02, 2024

Kaieteur Sports- Chase’s Academic Foundation reaffirmed their dominance in the Republic Bank eight-team Under-18 Football League by storming to an emphatic 8-1 victory over Dolphin Secondary in the...
Read More
Seales’ 4 for 5 gives West Indies control as Bangladesh fold for 164

Seales’ 4 for 5 gives West Indies control...

Dec 02, 2024

WARRIORS BOUNCE BACK AGAINST HAMPSHIRE

WARRIORS BOUNCE BACK AGAINST HAMPSHIRE

Dec 02, 2024

Victoria go top with second win

Victoria go top with second win

Dec 02, 2024

GFF and Namilco officially launch Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup

GFF and Namilco officially launch Maid Marian...

Dec 02, 2024

GFF celebrates the successful completion of Georgetown Girls’ Football Festival

GFF celebrates the successful completion of...

Dec 02, 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 […]