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Criticisms by diplomats against Govt…Stop crucifying the messenger, pay attention to the message – AFC tells Govt.
The Alliance For Change (AFC) has taken note of government’s reaction to statements made by British High Commissioner to Guyana, Andrew Ayre. The Party made it clear that it is in total disagreement with the way government has chosen to respond.
At the AFC’s most recent press conference, Member of Parliament (MP) Trevor Williams pointed out that the government has developed a pattern of lashing out at anyone who dares to disagree with its principles or lack thereof.
AFC Member, Trevor Williams
UK High Commissioner, Andrew Ayre
Williams urged however that “Instead of crucifying the messenger, the PPP Government should pay attention to the intent of the High Commissioner’s statement.”
Last Monday, High Commissioner Ayre, who is expected to leave Guyana next month, said there could be possible sanctions by the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, for Guyana not sticking to the Commonwealth Charter which focuses on democracy and a recent declaration that was signed onto by Commonwealth Leaders, including President Ramotar.
High Commissioner Ayre had said the Guyanese Head of State needs to lift his suspension of Parliament, since the ongoing suspension has created a country that does not have a functioning democracy.
He noted that under the circumstances, the United Kingdom would not be able to justify to its taxpayers why it was still sending developmental funds to a country which has no functioning democracy and no parliamentary oversight at the moment.
Soon after he delivered his remarks, government officials came from left, right and center lashing out at Ayre.
But he said he was prepared for this as he knew that government tries to “demolish and discredit” the character and credibility of “anyone who says anything that it doesn’t agree with.”
As he spoke at his Party’s press conference, Williams said that the “AFC thanks the High Commissioner for his candid statements and takes it in the context of advice for a fledgling democracy.”
Williams said that it is clear that Guyana has found itself at a point where “whatever gains we would have made over the past decades on building a democratic state, are in danger of being erased. In no democratic state would the government suspend elected representatives of the people to avoid Parliamentary scrutiny.”
He said that the PPP Government must remove its blinders and see that while Guyana is a sovereign nation, it is also a member of international groupings such as the Commonwealth and is obligated to practice and uphold the democratic principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter.
Williams told the media that Guyana, has for too long, shirked it obligations to International Charters.
Then politician said that “The Alliance For Change joins the UK and High Commissioner Andrew Ayre in reminding the PPP Government and President Donald Ramotar that it was the sitting president himself who signed the declaration coming out of the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka which speaks to the importance of democracy.”
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