This panelist admitted that he did not read the Constitution

Apr 11, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The United Nations’ (UN) delegation that was here in February at the Government’s requested support, in the effort to proceed with constitutional reform, has submitted its Report to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. It is hoped the sobering input of the world’s second oldest body is heeded.
It is being advised, via the media, the UN recommends: i) the importance of not rushing the process of constitutional reform; ii) the process can create an opportunity for social cohesion and nation-building; iii) it must be characterised by meaningful dialogue, negotiation and compromise by the government, opposition and citizens; iv) the Constitutional Reform Commission be independent, inclusive, and representative of civil society; and v) major attention paid to public education and effective participation.
What the UN has advised us in proceeding on this matter of national import is what the Guyana Constitution requires of us. The environment as outlined in Article 13 expressly states, “The principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of the citizens, and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being.”
That this international institution whose existence is premised on the equality of man and treating each other with dignity and respect, from whence its declarations are framed, has spoken, it is time to cease treating the Constitution with contempt and disdain. Reducing this supreme instrument to satire and ridicule, which frankly is informed by acceptance of propaganda and absence of understanding of its spirit and intent, along with not taking the needed effort to become acquainted, is hurting the nation and its people’s growth and development.
I recently attended an internationally hosted panel review of the Constitution and a panelist, who is charged with the responsibility of helping the process, admitted to not having read this instrument. In the first instance you cannot have an informed and educated conversation on something you know not of and expect to be able to give of your best in accomplishing the task required of you. This deficiency is not singular to this panelist but pervasive in the administration of governance across the executive, legislative and judicial branches.
UN’s recommendation that attention be paid to public education and effective participation requires Government providing the needed leadership. Government has overarching responsibility for the nation’s education and must see it incumbent on its part to provide the requisite resources that society, through education (formal and informal), can know what’s ensconced in the Constitution, its requirements, and the citizens’ roles and responsibilities, which would bring about effective participation. For it is only through knowledge that effective participation can happen, and this is a foremost prerequisite to the starting point of any process. Further, to ask people to participate in changing an instrument that they are ignorant of is to torpedo the intent of the objective the process claims it sets out to achieve.
The desire for constitutional amendment/reform/alteration is permitted in the constitution and in order to proceed with same one has to follow the rules to change the rules. Article 119A (1) expressly states, “The National Assembly shall establish a Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform for the purpose continually reviewing the effectiveness of the working of the Constitution and making periodic reports therein to the Assembly, with proposals for reform as necessary.” Subparagraph (2) goes on to state, “To assist in its work, the committee shall have power to co-opt experts or enlist the aid of other persons of appropriate expertise, whether or not such experts or other persons are members of the Assembly.”
The UN has pointed us in a direction which has been right in front of our eyes all these years and that is not dissimilar to a call being made by some in the society. The Prime Minister, who is charged the responsibility for the constitutional reform consultation, has advised that his office submitted an $80 million budget for the programme. Let this money now be accordingly disbursed after a programme has been conceptualised and developed based on the UN’s recommendations. The Guyana Trades Union Congress participated in the UN’s engagement and awaits its copy of the report.
Lincoln Lewis

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