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Western Union has done it again
Dear Editor,
I feel compelled to bring to your attention and to the people of Guyana the disgraceful treatment I have once again received at the hands of Western Union. This is despite prior assurances from the company that my name would be removed from their system as a politically-exposed person (PEP).
On June 1st, I went to collect US$258. 62 which was sent to me by Collin Haynes, a good friend and a strong member and supporter of the Alliance For Change (AFC). The funds were meant to assist with travel expenses to attend the wake and funeral of Valerie Lowe in the village of Kwebanna, in Moruca Region 1. I was deeply grateful for his support.
My first stop was at the Vreed-en-Hoop Western Union branch, which their website claimed was open—but it was closed when I arrived. I then traveled to the Parika branch. There, the cashier located the transfer, but informed me that she could not release the funds because central office approval was required—and the central office is closed on Sundays.
I was left sitting there for 10 minutes, confused and frustrated. With only GY$2,000 in my pocket, I had already committed to attending the funeral on behalf of the AFC. That amount was nowhere near enough to get me to Moruca and back. After some thought, I approached a friend and AFC supporter working at the Parika stelling. Though embarrassed, I had no choice but to ask for help. He kindly gave me GY$2,000. I then stopped at Shams Gas Station in Lima, where I borrowed GY$10,000. Sham, who has campaigned with the AFC in the past, was very generous. Thanks to these individuals, and I even receiving credit at a hotel in Moruca, I was able to make the trip.
Editor, it seems Western Union does not fully understand the provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act. If they did, they would recognise that I have not been a Member of Parliament since November 2019. As per the act, the politically exposed status should not apply to me after three years out of office. It has now been more than five years since I am out of Parliament. Western Union has no legal right to continue flagging me as a politically-exposed person. I am no longer a public official, do not benefit from government favours, and I do not send or receive large sums of money. A review of my transaction history would make this clear to any investigating authority.
On June 4th, after returning from Moruca and arriving in (Region 2), I attempted again to collect the money. The teller was polite and tried to assist, but she informed me that a red flag still exists on my name. She explained that I would need a second form of identification, which I did not have with me. However, this information could have easily been confirmed through the GECOM website—yet there is no system in place for that kind of verification.
I now strongly feel that I am being subjected to political discrimination, possibly in collusion with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), in an effort to prevent me from receiving funds from friends, family, or AFC members. These are funds that allow me to meet citizens and continue representing their concerns and needs. I am deeply upset and feel I have no other choice than to review the AML/CFT Act to determine whether my constitutional rights—particularly my right to political association—are being violated because I am an AFC Executive member.
Sincerely,
Michael Carrington
Vice Chairman, Alliance For Change (AFC
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