Why are we afraid to speak out against dictatorship now?

Aug 13, 2019 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,

On the 10th of November 2014, the then president of Guyana, Donald Ramotar, activated section 70(1) of the Constitution of Guyana and legally prorogued parliament. Despite the legality of his actions, the international and diplomatic community, civil societies, organizations, individuals etc., were very vocal in publicly condemning the President, resulting in the proclamation of parliament section 70(2) of the constitution, paving the path for General and Regional elections on 15th May 2015.
It is important that we reflect on some of the views that were expressed during that period and asked ourselves the reasons why some of these same stakeholders are either dumb or have completely disappeared, fearing possible consequences of political victimisation, personal interest or are in support of subversion of democracy by this David Granger-led coalition Government.
Some of the views expressed:
– British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre and then United States Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt publicly criticized President Ramotar for his administration’s record of governance, specifically in the area of democracy. The UK envoy had also hinted that his country might be inclined to withhold bilateral aid, except for elections, because of the absence of parliamentary oversight on how British taxpayers’ monies are spent British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre also said the country was on a “dangerous path” and could be referred to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) over the suspension of parliament.
– several organisations namely Transparency Institute Guyana Inc., Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination, Blue CAPS, Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Church, Guyana Bar Association, Guyana Association of Women Lawyers, Help and Shelter and Women Across Differences had issued a joint statement for the then government to, “swiftly exercise the options of either an immediate resumption of Parliament or holding of general elections. As various civil society organisations serving our members and all Guyanese, we recognize the vital importance of how democracy and good governance are practised by our legislature, our executive and our judiciary and the direct impact on Guyanese citizens, also the urgency of harmonising our Constitution with democratic practices”.
– David Granger said it was a dark day for democracy in Guyana and that the Ramotar executive decree engineered a constitutional crisis.
– Khemraj Ramjattan said the Government wanted to continue spending and taking their kickbacks was the whole reason behind the suspension of parliament.
– Raphael Trotman called the action more distasteful than the suspension of Guyana’s constitution in the 1950s by the British Government, he also cited the illegality of the President’s decision that was compounded by the fact that not a certain date had been given to the restoration of the affairs of parliament.
– Michael Carrington said “I think the Government has to go, so we need basically to stop the visas and to have elections called as soon as possible”. He also asserted that the government was disrespecting Guyana by claiming that it had returned democracy while it was taking it away with the prorogation of parliament.
– The UK’s Foreign Office Minister, Tobias Ellwood, stated: “The UK Government views with concern the continued prorogation of Parliament by His Excellency President Ramotar and calls for its earliest possible resumption. Parliament is required by Guyana’s Constitution and the Commonwealth Charter, it provides the necessary checks and balances and enables citizens’ voices to be heard. The suspension of Parliament therefore means that an essential element of a functioning democracy has been put on hold.
“We also continue to have concerns that there have been no local elections for over 20 years, which is also contrary to the democratic principles of the Commonwealth Charter and Guyana’s own Constitution. “The UK calls on all stakeholders to seek solutions to the political and socio-economic challenges facing Guyana so that the country can develop in a fair, democratic and equitable way.”
–The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza stated: “…in a democracy, an efficient functioning of the Parliament allows for checks and balances and for the voice of the people to be heard.” He expressed the hope that: “…parliamentary debate could be resumed in the 10th Parliament in the shortest possible period of time.”
– Columnist Freddie Kissoon, at a demonstration, said the main reason for the action was to apply some form of pressure on the American, British and Canadian missions in Guyana, so that they would transfer that pressure onto the government so that members could not leave the country until general elections are held…”Now, this is a justified call, because these embassies are on record, even as [recent as] three days ago, saying that the prorogation of parliament is an assault on democracy, and we think the [US] embassy should revisit the policy that one of its Ambassadors, Mr. [Ronald] Bullen, had implemented, and it acted as a deterrent. Under Mr. Bullen’s tenure, the embassy had put visa restrictions on government ministers, government officials and friends of government that were involved in unacceptable conduct…,” Kissoon said.
These were some of the views expressed then on the prorogation of parliament. The situation is even worse than that now, and yet we don’t seem to have the same desire to uphold the constitution, the rule of law and democracy.
This situation could mean that the issue of fear in the society by the APNU/AFC coalition Government is even more detrimental than ever in the history of Guyana. At a recent stakeholders’ forum at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, it was confirmed that the Government’s position must be final or the violence of the PNC will return to streets of Guyana. The PPP/C has always had the Patriots in every situation, while the PNC APNU/AFC has always had the destroyers.
Regards
Zamal Hussain

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