Ignoring the constitution could plunge Guyana into chaos

Nov 09, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor,
The special sitting of Parliament in July 2012 to pass a no-confidence motion against Mr. Rohee over the police killings of three unarmed protesters at Linden was to let the public know that he is unfit to hold the portfolio as the Minister of Home Affairs.
But President Ramotar’s refusal to support the no-confidence motion and demand Rohee’s resignation could actually destroy the good image of Guyana as a law abiding country.
In other words, the PPP stubbornness over Rohee’s resignation could plunge Guyana into chaos.
The occasion was significant for it is rare that the combined parliamentary opposition had the power and authority to pass such motion and embrace the vision to accelerate the needed reforms of the police force under a new and competent Minister of Home Affairs.
The no-confidence motion was perhaps the only means available to the opposition to exercise some influence over what ministers could do and cannot do. Mr. Rohee’s strident partisanship and his sharply divisive political rhetoric made reforms of the police force seem impossible in spite of the national consensus to do so.
However, after six years at the helm, Mr. Rohee squandered the opportunity to lead and effect structural and behavioral changes within the force to combat police brutality/murders, and crime and violence against the citizens of Guyana.
During the past five years, the police force has gone through a terrible period in terms of its public image and reputation; most of it caused by its own missteps, misbehavior and corrupt practices of some rogue officers. But was this sufficient for the opposition to pass the no-confident motion against the Minister? Yes!
Prior to the last election when the PPP had a majority in Parliament, Mr. Rohee refused calls from the opposition to reform the police force in the midst of massive crimes and bribery. He remained adamant that the opposition would not dictate to him how to manage the force. We believe that in addition to blatant misconduct by some police officers, the reckless murders of the three unarmed Linden protesters warrant Rohee’s dismissal.
With the recent upsurge in violent crimes in the country, many citizens have been left breathless and are seeking plausible answers from the government.
In this the 20th anniversary since the PPP came to power, many law-abiding citizens have to cower in fear of losing their lives. The criminal minds have been lowered to beastly behavior to rape, plunder and kill anyone who resists or refuses to comply with their demands.
It is sad but true that the current Jagdeo/Ramotar regime seems to be clueless about how to rid society of the criminal demons, corruption and the illegal trafficking of narcotics.
The PPPites and the rag-tag Jagdeoites are at war with one another as to whether to solve crime or end corruption. We have concluded that Mr. Ramotar continued support for Rohee is meant to appease the rag-tag Jagdeoites.
Following the passage of the no-confident motion, President Ramotar had made it clear that it was a colossal waste of valuable parliamentary time and an exercise in futility by the opposition to pass the motion.
Today, it is clear that President Ramotar has ignored Parliament’s motion (the highest law making body in the country) and has refused to demand Rohee’s resignation.
Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh.

Latest News

Ignoring the constitution could plunge Guyana into chaos

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Beckford brace Slingerz to fourth win on the trot, as Santos topple...

West Indies Women’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy...

GCC, Ogle, East Bank among winners as Demerara...

Unbeaten GCA storm to 2025 title

Tucber Park Cricket Club receives cricket gear...

Young guns flourish at Moo! National Junior’s...

Features/Columnists

Of Silk and Steel

Collaborative Government–Private Sector Action Imperative for a Resilient Trade Future

Rogue cops – only a few around

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Ignoring the constitution could plunge Guyana into chaos

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]