MP urges enhanced screening at borders

Nov 07, 2023 News

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– says new legislation needed to guide Venezuelan migrants

Kaieteur News – Telling Guyanese not to fear amid threats by neighbouring Venezuela, Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Amanza Walton-Desir on Monday called for robust legislation to guide this country’s dealing with migrants from Venezuela, emphasising that a choice to be become a citizen must require and include nationalization pledge to recognize that Essequibo as an integral part of this country and an understanding that behaviour to the contrary can result in a revocation of their citizenship and limits to their activities here.

Walton-Desir, a central executive member of the PNCR and a leading Member of Parliament for the Opposition was at the time speaking on a motion supporting the government and people of Guyana and reaffirming recognition of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the 1966 Geneva Agreement.  Moved by Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd, the motion received the unanimous support of both sides of the House as Guyana continues to push back against Venezuela’s latest move through a proposed referendum to annex the Essequibo.

In her address, Walton-Desir reassured the House that the Opposition stands firmly with the government in the defence of Guyana’s sovereignty, but she said there are critical steps, which this country must take to bolster its defence. Walton-Desir told the House that Guyanese are understandably anxious, noting that they see the large influx of Venezuelan migrants here as competing for jobs, businesses, land ownership and even personal relationships. Notwithstanding this anxiety, she said it is important that “we treat migrants with the dignity and respect one human being owes to another, as guests in our homeland, not as threats. But make no mistake…even guests must obey the rules of the house.”  “Let me be clear, peaceful and law-abiding Venezuelan migrants will be accorded Guyanese hospitality and protection under our laws, consistent with our international treaty obligations and our commitment to human rights. I remind Guyanese that even if provoked, they are not to take the law into their own hands, but must turn offenders over to the authorities forthwith,” Walton-Desir.

In the existing circumstances, Walton-Desir said Venezuelan migrants, bar those who are by virtue of descent entitled to citizenship must understand that “we will grant them temporary residency and only that and they must plan to go home once things get better. Our accommodation and hospitality is just that and must not be regarded as a path to citizenship or permanent residency as that is not our intention.”  To accommodate this, Walton-Desir proposes that Guyana considers legislative measures to make it clear that “our laws must be observed and any action including participation in inappropriate political activities that amount to insurrection, treason or promoting secession or annexation will be met firmly with prosecution, deportation and a permanent ban on residency for offenders and their offspring.”  She said too that dual citizens of Venezuela must choose their loyalty and if they choose, as is their right to be Venezuelan, then their ability to act and participate in Guyanese civic and political activity will be limited and controlled to the full extent of the law and consistent with the protection of our homeland, our territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The opposition MP told the House, that the tensions between Guyana and Venezuela have undoubtedly escalated to levels hitherto unseen. She said the Nicolas Maduro government’s claims over the Essequibo have cast a long shadow over this country’s sovereignty. “Their actions have impeded our nation’s development and limited our potential for far too long. And now a referendum…one with naked and aggressive territorial implications and the threat of irreparable harm to Guyana.”

Guyanese concerned

Walton-Desir said Guyanese both and home and abroad are uneasy and deeply concerned by what they see as a grave, gathering danger. She said thousands of Venezuelans are already here and more are pouring across our borders every day. “It is not in contention, that these vast numbers represent a risk to the socio-economic fabric of this nation, placing further strain on our already inadequate health, education and security systems.”  The opposition MP said some have argued, and correctly so, that this uncontrolled migration represents a threat to our national security, noting that it is not inconceivable that a complete collapse of our public sector systems could occur under the sheer weight of this rapid increase in numbers.

As such Walton-Desir said Guyana must immediately enhance the screening procedures at its borders, adding that the authorities must set about to verify and record in a transparent, credible manner, those Venezuelan nationals, who by virtue of their parentage are legitimately entitled to Guyanese citizenship, those who are eligible for economic migrant or refugee status and those who will be deported back to Venezuela.  “We must establish a robust, continuous public education programme, which will engender patriotism and respect for our collective heritage. A programme, which will inform from the youngest to the oldest about the seriousness of the territorial issue, Venezuela’s scandalous and illegitimate claims.”  The MP said this programme must be tailored to specific audiences and must include the nine indigenous nations in their respective languages. “The education programme must embody the fundamental and inherent truth that we must repeatedly teach and convey to our children and new adult citizens- that Essequibo as one of the three counties of Guyana is and will always be ours…..from the Pakaraimas to Parika…from the sprawling Savannahs to the Rapids at Rockstone Essequibo belongs to Guyana.”

Collaboration

Walton-Desir said now more than ever, there must a commitment to full collaboration between the government and all national stakeholders,  arguing that the time for petty, partisan politics is over . “There are defining moments in a nation’s history moments that shape the course of our collective destiny…. These pivotal junctures are the crucibles in which the character and resilience of a nation are tested. These defining moments are not solely challenges; they are also opportunities. They are opportunities to learn, to grow, and to redefine ourselves. They are opportunities to make positive changes and progress as a nation. It is during these moments that we can set a new course, one that aligns with our values and aspirations,” Walton-Desir said.”  She said how we meet these defining moments as a nation will determine our legacy and our place in history. “Let us remember that unity, resilience, and adaptability are our greatest assets in confronting the challenges and seizing the opportunities that come our way.  As we face this defining moment of our time, let us be a nation that rises to the occasion, demonstrating the strength of our character and the depth of our unity. Mr. Speaker, we may not have military might on our, but we have right on our side, we have the rule of law on our side, we have the support of the international community on our side,” the MP asserted. She said the urgency of the moment demands that Guyana sends a clear and unambiguous message that all of this country is united in the fundamental premise that Essequibo is the heartland of Guyana and 100% ours. “There is no debate on that question. We are confident of the merits of our case and we expect to prevail and reaffirm the full, final and perfect settlement embodied in the 1899 Arbitral Award,” Mp Walter-Desir declared.

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• Amanza Walton-Desir, Member of Parliament, PNCR, Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Venezuelan

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