Examine the reason for migration

Feb 16, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
Please permit me a space in your column to respond to Mr. Freddie Kissoon’s column, ‘Raphael Trotman needs a course in existentialist philosophy’
Let me begin by stating that reading Mr. Kissoon’s columns is one of the high points of my day. I find his columns both informative and objective. I must admit that I mostly agree with his views.
However, after reading the aforementioned column, I do feel compelled to disagree with Mr.Kissoon. To use the argument that if one is to emigrate, is a desertion of one’s country and in extrapolation should preclude the rights of voting is to view the issue in a simplistic and judgemental manner.
I have no reason to doubt that Mr. Kissoon may not be the beneficiary of remittance from overseas but the fact of the matter is that many Guyanese are. The statistics is there to prove so. I am not arguing that this should automatically qualify the overseas-based Guyanese the right to vote but vice versa it should not take away that right. There needs to be an intelligent, objective and non-personal debate of this matter. Paramount to understanding this issue is to ask the question and hopefully find the answer ‘Why are Guyanese leaving’? Is it because of greed, career progression, fear of safety of life and limb, to reunite with family?
Life is never simple and unfortunately any attempt to simplify it would be an injustice.
Should Guyanese who do not reside in their homeland retain the right to vote? The answer I do not know but what I do know is that this issue needs to be debated objectively and not judgementally.
Dr.Mark Devonish MBBS MRCP(UK)
Specialist Trainee Acute Medicine

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