In support of visa suspension

Oct 02, 2020 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

This is in reference to your front page news item on Her Excellency’s (US Ambassador Sarah Lynch) statement (Sept. 30) confirming that there were suspensions of multiple visas relating to the attempt to rig the March 2020 elections. It is policy not to reveal the names so as not to embarrass people. Suspension or revocation of visas is an age-old policy of (primarily western) governments to coerce regimes (rulers) to accept and enforce long held worldwide principles of democracy and respect for human rights. Anyone who studies international relations would know that Western governments are known to revoke visas to force obstinate rulers to follow principles of democracy, in particular respect for outcomes of democratic elections. Sanctions were applied on African, Latin American, and even European and Asian leaders or regimes who failed to adhere to rules pertaining to free and fair elections and respecting human rights.
Guyanese in the diaspora and within Guyana that I conversed with fully supported the measures undertaken by the US administration in late September to suspend visas of members of the coalition regime. These measures were called for since early March to get the coalition APNU+AFC to comply with democratic norms. The regime did not think the US would take the extreme measure of revoking visas if it rigged the elections because the US did not apply sanctions when the predecessor PNC regime rigged elections between 1964 and 1992 to remain in office. This time the regime was out for a rude awakening as the US had made up its mind that fraudulent election would not be accepted in Guyana or anywhere else in the Americas. The US had rejected the fraudulent election in neighbouring Venezuela.
Some Guyanese are disappointed that the sanctions against Guyanese riggers did not go far enough. They would have liked for visas of family members, including those studying in the US, and green card holders of those connected with rigging to also be revoked and those individuals to be deported. (Revoking green cards is a complex issue that has to do with violating US laws and oaths, committing crimes, and or lying on applications). They feel anyone, including civilians and GECOM staff, who was supportive of rigging (including the young man who tampered with the computer on the vote numbers) should have had their visas cancelled. Guyanese also feel that in addition to politicians, the visas of some judges and their family members and staff at GECOM should also have been suspended; some judges really gave idiotic rulings that were shot down on appeal. Are they not ashamed? These were political judgments that really endorsed rigging and authoritarianism. (Those judges must go, say Guyanese and foreigners who follow Guyanese affairs).
Many Guyanese feel that those who were involved in the violence and robberies in West Berbice should also have their visas and those of family members cancelled. It is well known who gave the instructions to commit those crimes and who were involved. Several Members of Parliament and Regional Councillors were behind the violence. Some also know who were involved in the killing of the three youngsters. The US should be asked to assist with the investigation and those politicians involved in that heinous crime be brought to justice.
The US again saved democracy in Guyana (in 2020) as it did in 1992 against the same riggers, and Guyanese are most grateful to Ambassador Lynch and other diplomats for the consistent position they adopted on respecting the will of the voters.

Yours truly,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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