I condemn all victimisation

Aug 28, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

One Rudolph Singh penned a question: “Was Bisram in Hibernation during PPP rule?” (KN Aug. 25) relating to my missive on political victimisation in Guyana. He accuses me of being affiliated with PPP and writing scores of articles in support of that party. He misunderstood my missive. Apparently, Rudolph does not read or comprehend well my many writings.
No, I have not been in hibernation. I have been very active on Guyana and the Diaspora affairs since the late 1960s. Since the restoration of the free press in Guyana in 1986, I must have penned some thousands of articles. And prior to that, since 1977, when I arrived in New York for tertiary education I penned hundreds more, some of which were carried in community and student campus newspapers. And of course, I published thousands of articles in the US, Canada, UK, and around the Caribbean from 1977 to now. I do not recall ever promoting or defending the PPP. Only once, I recall, I penned a commentary appealing to the United States (Bush Administration specifically) around 1991 to give Dr. Jagan a chance in free and fair elections. This commentary was carried in the international press. Shortly, thereafter, President Bush issued a statement calling for free and fair elections. I also wrote to Members of Congress and the Carter Administration explaining they need not worry about PPP’s political ideology; communism had collapsed and PPP had reformed embracing market economics. Members of Congress issued releases calling for free and fair elections. And President Carter visited Guyana. I wrote a few more pieces urging support for Dr. Jagan’s administration and for overseas Guyanese to send material assistance to help Dr. Jagan rebuild the country. I also volunteered my time during school holidays to help with rebuilding in Guyana and in various charitable events. I did condemn the violence unleashed on people on account of their race and political affiliation in 1997 and after that. If those memos, articles, and activism can be equated as support for the PPP, I plead guilty.
Everyone who knows me (even a little) would know about my commitment to Guyana and non-partisanship. It is for this reason that I have consistently advocated for power sharing among all political parties and ethnic groups. No one group or party can or should rule Guyana. I don’t think PPP or PNC has fully endorsed power sharing. Therefore, it is not possible for me to support PPP or any other party unless they agree to share power among all parties and ethnic groups. I support democracy and all parties (PPP, PNC, WPA, ROAR, etc.) benefit from my struggle.
Rudolph wrote that Bisram did not shed a tear for Freddie and others who may have been victimised. If I did not care, then would I condemn victimisation? Rudolph has not read well. The record would show in the media that I penned several pieces condemning attacks on Freddie and the termination of his contract at UG. There were also my pieces opposing lawsuits against Freddie. It was only Joey Jagan and I who publicly urged KN to restore his columns after they were reduced about a decade ago. I also condemned the victimisation of the media, withdrawal of ads, etc. These are penned in the press.
I condemn all forms of victimisation against whoever or whatever – businesses, professionals, countries, parties, and individuals regardless of status. People must be free to express their political views and to engage in political activities without fear of being victimised. The GRA and GPL and thugs and goons should not be unleashed on people for their activism or free speech. Over half of the Guyanese population lives in “white man” countries. Some of these Guyanese spoke out against wrongs in their places of domicile. The white man does not victimise them for free speech. The authorities in Guyana (regardless of party) should follow suit. People should not be victimised for political engagements or commentaries.

Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram

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