Latest update November 28th, 2024 3:00 AM
Latest News
- $99B spent on Wales Gas plants to date, 58% of works completed – Prime Minister tells Parliament
- National Assembly clears $456M in Contingency Fund advances
- Hell and high water: Gaza waits for a ceasefire of its own
- Fire Service issues stern warning against maliciously set fires
- Miner stabbed to death during argument at ‘Honey Camp’
Freedom of expression is limited for all Guyanese except the Opposition Leader
DEAR EDITOR,
I wonder why it is that freedom of expression is limited for all Guyanese except the Leader of the Opposition.
The opposition constantly quotes sections of the Constitution that suits them and the interests they wish to advance (of course those that directly benefit the PPP) and conveniently block from their minds and the actual text, the parts they seem to deem to be above of.
The evidence of this has been overwhelming of recent. I have mentioned in previous correspondence their efforts to bombard the Government to hold elections on or before March 21st after which doomsday, or on or before April 30th after which delayed doomsday as they have been peddling to their supporters, the media and the international community. But this letter is to specifically highlight another episode in the series of unfortunate things the Leader of the Opposition have said/done.
The opposition, led by a former president who did not condone opposition himself, has completely ignored the second option available to the Government: to hold election beyond the 90-day period should the National Assembly, by way of a resolution supported by no less than two-thirds of the votes of all elected members of the National Assembly, determine.
Editor, the only reason the opposition would ignore Article 106(7) in part is because they seek to manipulate the Government into dictating the affairs of an autonomous body by inciting hostility towards this Granger/Nagamootoo-led Administration by the people of Guyana.
Instead of trying to come to a suitable compromise with the Government on a possible date for the holding of election in an effort to present a resolution to the National Assembly proposing election beyond March 21st and surely not before April 30th – a compromise that will afford GECOM time to conduct its affairs in preparations for those elections – the former president has resorted to announcing to his supporters that an extension for the life of the Government is not his interest.
What the Opposition Leader fails to inform his supporters, is that by refusing to come to a mature compromise on the issue with the Government after being advised by GECOM, is that he himself is creating chaos and crisis amongst the Guyanese people. That is not only irresponsible as a former president but also unpatriotic to the very core!
The Leader of the Opposition and bandwagonists, continue to lay pressure at the feet of the Government to call general elections before the expiration of the 90 days, irrespective of the fact that GECOM has announced its decision to conduct house-to-house registration; irrespective of the fact that moneys were not allocated for the holding of an election in 2019; irrespective of the fact that the very Cabinet that he says is no longer lawful will have to recommend or consent to a Bill presented by the Finance Minister to the National Assembly that charges the Consolidated Fund for the holding of said elections.
So much so is the self-interest of the PPP to have an election within 90 days, that they are seeking to use the people of Guyana to intimidate the Government to break several provisions of the Constitution in order to fulfill one of two options afforded to this Administration by the very Constitution that the Opposition Leader has resorted to exciting hostile behaviour towards this Administration.
This is not a farfetched conclusion. The Leader of the Opposition is reported in the March 11th Edition of the Stabroek News under the headline “Jagdeo plans pickets of gov’t officials ‘everywhere’ after March 21st” as instructing PPP supporters to ‘chase’ Government Ministers and Officials out should they visit the Berbice region after March 21st and to picket them everywhere including their homes.
Yes, the Constitution affords the fundamental right of the freedom of expression to all.
However, that right is subject to limitations. The favourite book of the opposition – the Constitution – in Article 146(3) states in clear language that the freedom of expression does not “relate to hate speeches or other expressions, in whatever form, capable of exciting hostility or ill-will against any person or class of persons”.
What would have Mr. Jagdeo done if the tables were turned?
Time and time again, the opposition continues to show us who they are. When are we going to believe them? The PPP is not the party to govern us.
To Guyanese citizens, do with this information what you will!
Sincerely,
Cynthia Rutherford
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The illusion of compliance
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- A company can meet the letter of the law. It can tick every box, hit every target. Yet,... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
