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Civil society to ramp up protest against non-implementation of Freedom of Information Act
Kaieteur News- Citizens, civil society advocates, and trade union representatives have announced the escalation of their long-running protest demanding genuine implementation of Guyana’s Freedom of Information Act, 2011 with plans for demonstration outside the Office of the President on Friday.
In a press release, organisers said that having spent months exposing the inaction and obstruction by the Office of the Commissioner of Information, protestors will now take their peaceful demonstration directly to the Office of the President, which under the Act is the constitutional authority responsible for ensuring that the public’s right to know is protected.
Flashback: A section of protestors in front of the Office of the Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson (senior) back in April this year
“The Commissioner’s continued refusal to perform his basic legal duty to process requests is indefensible,” said Norris Witter, respected trade union leader. “But the greater scandal is the President’s complete failure to hold the Commissioner accountable, or to protect citizens who are insulted and ignored for daring to seek information.”
According to the release, the protestors said under the FOI Act, requests must be submitted to the Commissioner, who acts as the clearing house for official documents. “When this mechanism is deliberately stalled or used to frustrate access, the entire right to information collapses – a direct breach of Article 146 of Guyana’s Constitution,” the release noted.
Ms. Vanda Radzik, veteran civil society advocate and rights defender, added: “We have done our part as citizens. Now we are forced to stand up for our right to access public information because those entrusted to provide it have failed to carry out their duty.”
The protestors, including activist Christopher Ram, have made it clear that they will maintain their campaign until meaningful action is taken to restore the credibility of Guyana’s freedom of information system. “When one official refuses to do his work and the other refuses to act, citizens must stand up,” said Ram. “This is about transparency, accountability, and the simple respect our Constitution demands.”
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- Commissioner of Information, constitutional authority, genuine implementation, long-running protest, protestors
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