GTUC expresses solidarity with Kissoon, Benschop

Dec 23, 2010 News

The Guyana Trades Union Congress yesterday voiced its support to activist Mark Benschop and columnist Freddie Kissoon while expressing their disgust over the constant violation of citizens’ rights.
During a media briefing at the GTUC’S office General Secretary Lincoln Lewis said it was commendable what Kissoon and Benschop decided to do but their arrest is a blatant act of dictatorship by the Government.
“The management of solid waste in the city and the courageous stance of Freddie and Mark are of concern to the GTUC.”
Lewis noted that man’s basic need is for a life of prosperity and happiness. From this need springs institutions, rights and freedom to realize them.
“If man has life he would want to ensure that it is healthy; a healthy citizen is a healthy worker; a healthy worker means optimum production and optimum production can realize national development”.
He however noted that what is happening to the city as it relates to the waste management poses a threat to man’s right to happiness and prosperity. Lewis stated that the arrest of Kissoon and Benschop is another repressive act by the government of Guyana in the pursuit of denying citizens the right to just expressions and a say in matters that impact on their well being.
“These two citizens are incarcerated for protesting against the wanton dumping of garbage in the middle of the city, a situation that is considered a health hazard.”
Once again Lewis said that citizens are experiencing the Government using the law as a front to continue to justify denying citizens their well being.
“After their (Kissoon and Benschop) action, it was probably out of shame that two Ministers visited the site”. This move, Lewis said, confirms that the government is aware of the problem but misinterpret the silence of the community as consent to their environmental mismanagement and deliberate exposure to communicable disease.
“This is evident that the Government only acts when its abuse is exposed to the world.” Lewis added that all these efforts by the government are clearly aimed at destroying the city council.
He further called on other citizens to show their solidarity to Kissoon and Benschop. Lewis also noted that the current situation needs the intervention of international and regional agencies. “The pettiness and vindictive attitude of the Government seeks to snuff out the life of the nation and to create disunity among citizens…We need to stand up and resist these discriminatory acts”.
On Tuesday last Benschop and Kissoon were arrested after they staged a protest over the dumping of garbage at the Le Repentir cemetery. The duo had earlier in the day visited the site and decided to file an injunction against further dumping.

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GTUC expresses solidarity with Kissoon, Benschop

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