Latest update March 28th, 2025 6:05 AM
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- Mice and Jermaine $1.7M Linden Futsal tournament starts tonight with three matches at Retrieve Hard Court
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- Guyana gets info on U.S. tax evasion allegations against Mohameds, Mae Thomas
- US$35 injected into banking system to address foreign currency shortage—VP Jagdeo
- Citizens to stage protest today against lack of access to information in Guyana
Without a doubt our country is now in very troubled waters
DEAR EDITOR,
I use this opportunity to address an issue of extreme national importance.
The recent action of a Member of Parliament – to use the parliament to pay tribute to a deceased person charged and convicted of a serious criminal offence in another country – can be classified as an act of extreme provocation in the diplomatic arena.
I am quite sure that the member in question probably meant no harm, but the reality of the situation is that very serious infractions of Public International Law rules and regulations were committed.
What is of concern to me is the fact that the country in question has already reacted very negatively in two very important ways, and it is to be expected. The country has always had a resident ambassador for many years.
When a Member of Parliament, on the government side of the house, rises to conduct any business it is presumed that such person is acting in furtherance of the wishes and well being of all of the people of Guyana.
In this case, I wish to make it clear that the business of paying tribute in the particular circumstances was not the wishes of, or for the well being of myself and others who are fully aware of the full ramifications and effects of those actions.
The deceased person in question had been charged and convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction in the United States of America, for very serious offences.
Except the deceased person had received a legal pardon, then the judgment of the court had to be duly observed and respected.
The rules, regulations and jurisprudence that govern nations in these matters are all observed as a matter of Comity.
Comity of nations or between nations is an important part of modern living among countries.
Merriam-Webster has defined ”Comity of Nations” in this manner…”Definition of comity of nations. 1: the courtesy and friendship of nations marked especially by mutual recognition of executive, legislative, and judicial acts. 2: the group of nations practicing international comity.”
It is easy to see where Guyana stands in the present circumstances.
I wish to extend my personal apologies for actions which clearly amount to breaches of the practice of comity between nations. In my opinion the judgment of the Supreme Court of the United States of America remains intact, still retains its integrity and is fully recognized as validly issued.
Without a doubt our country is now in very troubled waters because of the formal statement issued by the United States on the issue, with local headlines screaming, ”…The US embassy condemns the parliamentary resolution honouring convicted terrorist Abdul Kadir…”
This was followed by another local headline, ”The US Dept. of Justice slams Guyana’s judiciary for alleged corruption”.
What is of concern to me at this particular point is the state of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The government should be concerned about this, since it is well known that many US companies are on a course to bring business to Guyana, possibly totaling trillions of dollars over many years.
At the same time the government is at the moment battling the effects of the actions of one of its own members that will probably rack up a bill totaling billions of dollars to the taxpayers of this country before it can be finally settled.
Not the kind of situation that brings comfort and peace of mind and begs the question of whether or not there is any kind of supervision or guidance being extended to the members of parliament in the conduct of the nation’s affairs.
It is hoped that the government can rein in this situation for the good of the entire nation.
Yours faithfully,
Juliet Holder-Allen
Chief Magistrate (Ret’d)
Attorney At Law
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