The African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) vehemently condemns the issuing of a wanted bulletin for Brother Tacuma Ogunseye for allegedly “inciting racial hostility.” ACDA said based on their assessment, nothing in Bro. Ogunseye’s statement comports with the claims being used to charge and issue a Wanted Bulletin for him.
“ACDA understands that Wanted Bulletins are issued for persons whose whereabouts are unknown. Based on reports Brother Ogunseye was visibly available at his residence and at several public WPA meetings on the East Coast. Leaving one to speculate that some sinister mischief was being planned against the Brother.”
The organisation is calling on the Guyana Police Force to bring to swift justice the persons that assaulted Brother Elton McRae purportedly, for advocating against the usurping of African Ancestral Lands in Beterverwagting on the East Coast of Demerara,
ACDA says it views these events as serious indication of the deterioration of the fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana as well as growing intolerance of advocacy against unjust practices and freedom of speech, and reminds the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Police Force of Articles 40 (1) and Articles 146 (1) that states:
“Every person in Guyana is entitled to the basic right to a happy, creative and productive life which includes the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, namely freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association.
“Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, that is to say, freedom to hold opinions without interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference and freedom from interference with his correspondence.”
The body restates it holds the Constitution of Guyana in reverence and understands that every Guyanese have the right to free speech and assembly and that the Government of Guyana has no greater or lesser rights under the Constitution than other institutions.
The body states in the crafting of the Constitution the people never intended that the Government should have the authority to wantonly decide to curtail the freedom of any Guyanese for exercising their constitutional rights. “Governments are meant to be the servant of the People and not Masters of the People.”
Further, ACDA says the body is making a plea on behalf of the people of Guyana that the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Police Force step away from a seemingly precipice of provocation as a result of the violation of the human rights of its citizens.
