Freedom demands vigilance

Jul 23, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

---

Kaieteur News – As Guyanese prepare to celebrate Emancipation, we are reminded of the hard-fought struggles for freedom from slavery.

Yet, the irony is stark: thousands of Guyanese appeared willing to surrender their freedom by supporting those who attempted to rig the March 2020 general and regional elections or by remaining silent during the attempt.

Celebrating freedom while consenting to the erosion of our democratic rights is not only contradictory but a dangerous precedent. It is one that threatens the very essence of our democracy.

The most fundamental civil and political right in any democracy is the right to elect a government of one’s choice and, by implication, to lawfully and peacefully remove through the ballot those who are elected. Without this right, citizens are left at the mercy of unelected politicians, surrendering the right to hold their leaders accountable. This core principle ensures that the power remains with the people, fostering a system where leaders serve at the discretion of their electorate.

While we may fervently desire the victory of the party we support, this aspiration cannot come at the expense of the sovereign right to respect the overall will of the people. To undermine this principle is to jeopardise the very foundation of our democratic system, replacing the collective voice of the citizenry with the ambitions of a select few. The integrity of our electoral process guarantees that every citizen’s voice is heard and that the government reflects the genuine choice of the populace, a right that must be preserved above all political ambitions.

The events that unfolded between March and August 2020 were a painful reminder of how fragile our democracy can be. The freedom to choose a government of our choice, and by implication, to remove that government through elections, was nearly forfeited, potentially permanently. Watching these events transpire was a stark warning of how quickly democratic freedoms can be compromised.

Even if some individuals did not value this right, they should have been concerned about the economic implications of undermining democracy. History provides a clear lesson: under the dictatorship from 1968-1992, Guyana’s economy flat-lined, and unimaginable hardships were visited upon the people. During this period, many Guyanese fled the country in search of better opportunities, escaping the dire economic conditions and lack of prospects. The scars of that era are still visible, and the country is yet to fully recover from the dismal period of economic stagnation and repression.

Democracy is not just about casting a vote; it is about ensuring that every vote counts and that the collective will of the people is respected. When we allow electoral processes to be subverted, we are complicit in the erosion of our freedoms. Supporting or remaining silent in the face of attempts to rig elections is akin to endorsing the theft of our democratic rights. It is a betrayal of the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedom and a step backward into the darkness of dictatorship. The right to elect our leaders and to remove them through the ballot is what separates a democracy from a dictatorship. It is a mechanism that ensures leaders are accountable to the people and that power is not concentrated in the hands of a few. When this right is threatened, the entire democratic structure is at risk. A democracy that cannot guarantee free and fair elections is a democracy in name only.  The period from 1968 to 1992 in Guyana is a testament to this, as the country’s economy suffered greatly under undemocratic rule. The legacy of that period continues to affect us, and we must learn from history to avoid repeating its mistakes.

As we celebrate Emancipation, let us not forget that true freedom encompasses more than just the abolition of physical bondage. It includes the freedom to choose our leaders and to hold them accountable. It is about ensuring that our democratic processes are respected and that the will of the people prevails. Those who attempt to subvert these processes are enemies of democracy, and by supporting or remaining silent about their actions, we become complicit in their schemes.

Freedom is not just a historical concept; it is a living, breathing reality that must be defended and nurtured. It requires vigilance and active participation from every citizen. We cannot take our democratic rights for granted, nor can we allow them to be eroded by those who seek to cling to power at any cost. The struggle for freedom is ongoing, and it is our responsibility to ensure that the sacrifices of the past were not in vain. Celebrating Emancipation while allowing our democratic rights to be compromised is a hollow gesture. True celebration comes from reaffirming our commitment to democracy and holding ourselves and our leaders accountable. It is about standing up against any attempt to undermine our electoral processes and ensuring that the right to choose our leaders is preserved.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

---

• dangerous, Emancipation, Freedom, Peeping Tom, Vigilance

---