This was Anil Nandlall’s attitude to me when he was AG

Feb 07, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
It is incredible to witness the activism of Americans willing to protest against the orders of the President of the USA so that non-Americans can enter. I was in awe at the spectacular display of defiance to help those from other countries many of whom are penniless and the lawyers who lined up to offer their services freely to foreigners.
However, when I think about Guyana and our fundamental human rights I become engulfed in bitterness, hatred and anger. From my personal experiences I believe most Guyanese are unaware of their basic rights and think that the government, APNU/AFC now and PPP/C then, and its respective branches have the right to inflict harm, make major decisions at its whim and are above the laws of the land.
During the reign of the PPP/C I had such a soul shattering experience that I have become unpatriotic like the masses that dream of fleeing these shores, apolitical to the point that I do not vote and apathetic to my country. For most of my life in Guyana I have felt like a third class citizen because I am not rich, powerful nor do I possess the ‘right’ connections/ family affiliations. Without these elements a citizen is a ‘Nobody’.
Every time I read an article about Mr. Anil Nandlall’s pronouncements on the Constitution of Guyana and those who violate it, bile rises to my mouth. The hypocrisy of this man is astounding! My freedom of movement which is guaranteed in the Constitution of Guyana was taken away from me without due process and although I personally met Mr. Nandlall who was then Attorney General pleaded with him to help me and informed him of my constitutional rights he did absolutely nothing while knowing that what a particular government entity was doing then was in violation of the laws of Guyana. I do not believe that Mr. Nandlall just became an expert on the Constitution of Guyana after his party was booted out.
Due to a civil matter with a particular ministry my name was placed on the ‘blacklist’ at all points of exit in this country thereby imprisoning me in Guyana indefinitely. This establishment claimed that I owed it money and charged me an incredible 70% interest! A court order was never obtained by this ministry nor was any legal proceedings carried out. I was just informed at the airport that I was not allowed to pass the immigration checkpoint because my name was on the country’s blacklist.
For months I wasted my time begging various officials for assistance to no avail, I experienced verbal abuse with one even calling me a ‘jackass’, severe stress and depression and was even told by various so-called lawyers that I had no legal case and basically the govt. (then)can just violate the laws of the land at whim. I realized how corrupt and partisan our society is and the unfortunates without riches, power or connections really do not belong here and are doomed to a bitter and bleak existence. How many of our lawyers would volunteer their services or at least treat fairly the poor at their mercy just because of their ideological love for justice and the law without favour or partisanship?
I had downloaded the Constitution of Guyana, read it thoroughly and found that the articles dealing with freedom of movement were specific and stated exactly in what situations one can be denied this right most importantly a court order is normally required for the majority of instances. I even contacted the High Court librarian and enquired if there was any other legal document dealing with freedom of movement and was told no. Such was my desperation that I visited this court and asked to represent myself since I was unemployed then and without money but was denied this.
I eventually decided to borrow money from relatives and hire a lawyer. My case was treated as a constitutional matter and within months I received a judgement in my favour. Mr. Nandlal’s lawyers had no defense. My beliefs on this matter although I was not a lawyer and had no legal training was validated by the judge who stated exactly what I thought all along and was ridiculed for. I never received any monetary compensation for legal fees, plane tickets that I was barred from utilizing, accommodation that I paid for and never got to use, almost a year of my life, time and money wasted trying to get a court order to validate my right to freedom of movement as a Guyanese etc.
Whether black or brown, APNU/AFC or PPP/C Guyanese must hold accountable the people that we elect to manage the country only then will real change occur. Those people are not above the law, do not own the resources of the country nor are they better than us. Dear Editor, due to the personal nature of my letter and my desire for privacy I am requesting that my name be withheld. However, I consent to my information being available to Mr. Nandlall since I stand behind everything that I stated in this letter and have all documentation to prove it.
Mistreated citizen
(Name withheld at request)

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