Harassment by Customs Officer at CJIA’s Immigration

Apr 11, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

On April 6, 2019, I arrived at CJIA. It was just after 11pm. Processing at immigration was slow. I spent over 40 minutes in the line. Then after that I collected my single carry-on and proceeded to the back of the line. I noticed that there was only one custom officer and the line was not moving. I then proceeded to the front to ask her that since I just have one piece and nothing to declare, if there was another officer who could process others who didn’t have much luggage. Instead of hearing me, she started verbally abusing me, asking me if I think I special and want to bore in front of others, and to go at the back of the line.
Then I made an observation that others were passing with lots of suitcases and she did not even check their slip. I took some pictures.
I waited my turn and then when I went to her the harassment continued. She asked what I do? I said it was on the form. She continued to ask. I said I declared everything on the form. She said I have to make an oral declaration to her before I passed. We were going back and forth until the lady behind me asked that we end it.
I later learned after taking the pictures that phones are not to be used. As a law-abiding Guyanese citizen, where are my rights?
I see that the only reasons that we are not allowed to take pictures in that area is because we are restricted from exposing the very poor work flow, harassment by officials, and every bad thing that can possibly happen that I did not experience that night.
Who are those VIPs and why were those persons allowed to pass with ease:
(a) without joining the line
(b) or her checking their form like she did everyone else.
Things like this must be exposed.

Delon White

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