GTUC calls on stakeholders, civil society and civic-minded individuals to support PPP’s outreach

Dec 20, 2012 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) welcomes the PPP’s administration extended hand to the international community for support in what it considers threats to the “constitution, parliamentary norms and conventions and the Standing Order of the National Assembly.”
The GTUC calls on stakeholders, members of civil society and civic-minded individuals to support the PPP’s outreach.  For whereas in the past the PPP viewed international observation of said nature as unwelcomed, it bodes well to note that Guyana as a member of the Human Family stands to benefit from the attention of the international community whose mandate is premised on laws, declarations, conventions and charters, the principles of which are enshrined in the Guyana Constitution.
The Guyana Constitution at Article 13 expressly states, “The political objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organizations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their wellbeing.”
The underpinning of this objective is premised on the Rights and Freedoms of individuals and their organisations to self-determination established on universal principles of equality and dignity.
Said principles are enshrined in the United Nations Covenants on Civil, Political, Social and Economic Rights; the Organisation of America States’ The Rights of Man; and CARICOM Charter of Civil Society.
And if it requires the adult in the room being someone of external extraction and/or affiliation to bring attention to the principle of self determination which is in our hands but ignored, then the government outreach offers possibilities for new opportunities.
For it should be said a complaint is best addressed when the conciliator or arbiter (in this instance the international community) is armed with the requisite tools, inclusive of all the instruments applicable in system of governance and that of the international community, and ensuring the accused and other stakeholders are heard.
Guyana’s parliamentary (legislative) democracy is no different than others wherein this branch while sharing oversight and co-relationship with the Executive and Judicial branches is also allowed independence and autonomy in its day to day management, and of which such powers and responsibilities are expressly outlined in the Constitution. Also, our laws give the presidency to the party with the highest amount of votes, who together with a team forms the Executive.
To the National Assembly seats are allotted to political parties based on stipulated formula which creates the possibility for the opposition to have control of the House.
This is our reality and the parties were cognisant of the possibilities they were getting into.
As such the attempts now to de-legitimize a process or branch of government in an effort to continue acts of vengeance, dominance, discrimination and poor governance are infantile and must stop.
The opposition parliamentary control is constitutional, be it one-seat or otherwise; equally as the votes that secured executive control, be it minority or otherwise.
The elections are over, the people have spoken and it’s time to address governance in a serious and forthright manner with the three branches of government (legislature, executive and judiciary) held to standards consistent with the Constitution.
The 2011 elections present a new opportunity to advance governance of a national character, i.e. inclusionary democracy, and the moment must be seized. A political grouping does not have to be in control of the National Assembly and/or the Executive to advance programmes on behalf of the people with their involvement and support, and the politicians must be cognisant of this reality. For the spirit and intent of conventions, declarations, laws and charters were never to allow the tyranny of the majority or minority, they are for us to work together to advance common goals in an environment of mutual respect.
The administration shall be given the opportunity to prove its seriousness as the nation watches for signs that allow the voice of reason to prevail and mechanisms established to ensure the respect for international principles, our constitution, parliamentary democracy and the will of the people. The GTUC stands ready to give its support to any and all who desire upholding these principles which are critical to advancing the nation’s development and the people’s collective wellbeing, equally as it remains committed to hold accountable those who violate them.
Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary

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