President Irfaan Ali has turned his attention to hate speech and cyberbullying which continue to prove injurious to race relations and nation-building. Arguably these problems need to be addressed forcefully and it was encouraging to hear the President say “I want you to know that it is my determination to do everything within my power and to use all the laws at my disposal, to put an end to this behaviour, which can only result in dividing our country and our people.” But who will the laws target and will there be justice for all?
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has been instructed by the President to ensure that the full force of the laws is employed and applied to those who pursue such criminal behaviour. There is no disagreement with the desire to stop racial hostility and cyberbullying. No right-thinking person would find the president’s “determination” unwarranted but they would advise in order to fix the problems, critical examinations, including introspection, cannot be avoided.
First, a visit to social media, which is to be targeted for racial hostility and cyberbullying, would find some of the very persons who ought to be the enforcers against these crimes are leading purveyors of them. Before the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is a complaint against Mr. Nandlall, by the heirs of Cudjoe McPherson about lands in Kingelly, West Coast Berbice, based on what the family feels was racial incitement by the Attorney General to destroy their property.
Then, none other than the Muslim representative on the ERC, Mr. Roshan Khan, was disavowed by his Commission for his call to arms by Indians, as matter of “self-defence,” in the West Coast Berbice (racial) conflicts. According to the ERC, Khan’s call does not coincide with its mandate to “promote harmony and good relations.” The ERC’s silly effort to distance itself from itself and a member who speaks for the organisation is not lost on society.
Other sections of the Guyanese population feel the government and its supporters bring no moral authority to sore issues of racial hostility and cyberbullying. For instance, in 2016 a woman was charged for a hate crime given her statement on facebook that “[President] Granger want a bullet in head.” The then opposition, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), claimed it was not a hate crime and accused the then A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government of targeting their supporters.
Society would recall then President Granger saying, “I have never advocated violence and I don’t support the use of violence to deal with any political controversy or conflicts.” Though President Ali did not say as much as Mr. Granger, it is appreciated he has echoed words against violence. However, the question must be asked, given the PPP/C’s response in 2016:-What are racial hostility and cyberbullying in Guyana’s context- are these universal or based on who does what to whom?
Even a cursory visit to social media circles where party supporters congregate, the hatred and venom some spew advise that the government will also have to charge their supporters, including ministers and members of parliament. These crimes are also evident on mainstream media albeit in different forms and subtleties. The President may well find even with the best of intent if he does not do proper housekeeping, he may very well be the only one standing. Ending these crimes requiring looking inward first and delivering leadership by example.
Many Guyanese have suckled on hate and socialised to think bullying is strength. Social media offer outlets, some think freedom and cover to spew. Ours is a society that practices racial hostility in organisation, including religious, in employment practices, and even purchasing. Only a national concerted effort, which must include conversations on racial sensitivity, an education curriculum that targets racial respect, equitable laws, policies and programmes, could yield positive results. These recommendations, though not exhausted, would see a society better served. Hodge podge approaches or reacting to public demand to soothe present anguish would not suffice.
