“No government, whether of a majority Indian or majority African, or any group is bigger than the combined forces of our people. No government headed by anyone must be allowed to marginalise any of us, for we the people of Guyana must hold them accountable to higher standards. We must hold them accountable without fear or favour.” Those words were delivered by Roysdale Forde, S.C, M.P at last Saturday’s Institute for Action Against Discrimination (IAAD) community meeting held in Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara.
The recently formed group has announced it will be going across Guyana, holding meetings to sensitize Guyanese about the discriminatory practices of the People’s Progressive Party /Civic government, and urge citizens to partner with them to dismantle a practice that is dividing the nation and undermining the development of the people, said IAAD Secretary, Lelon Saul.
Others sharing the platform were trade unionist Lincoln Lewis; Members of Parliament Maureen Philadelphia, Ricky Ramsaroop and Roysdale Forde S.C; Georgetown Mayor Pandit Ubraj Narine; and agriculturalist Dr. Simpson DaSilva.
Political victimisation can have a chilling effect on democracy
Member of Parliament Ricky Ramsaroop in his presentation said political victimisation continues to be a major issue in Guyana. “The country’s current government, led by President Irfaan Ali, has been accused of using state power to suppress opposition and marginalise certain groups. This includes allegations of electoral fraud, censorship of the press, and discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities.”
Perhaps the most egregious example of political victimisation in Guyana today is the ongoing controversy surrounding the country’s oil industry, he pointed out. Ramsaroop noted that in as much as Guyana will earn billions of dollars in revenue there are concerns the benefits of this wealth will not be distributed equitably.
He told the audience the impact of political victimisation through economic marginalisation in Guyana is significant and the Indian Guyanese community is also affected “Those who are marginalised from the political and economic system are often unable to access basic services like healthcare, education, and employment. They are also more likely to experience poverty, social exclusion, and discrimination.”
Furthermore, he advised, “political victimisation can have a chilling effect on democracy and human rights. When opposition is suppressed and marginalised, it becomes more difficult for citizens to express their opinions and participate in the political process.”
Ramsaroop warned corruption is a major threat to democracy, as it undermines the rule of law and erodes public trust in government institutions. “In Guyana, there have been repeated allegations of corruption at all levels of government, including embezzlement, kickbacks, and bribery. This undermines the ability of government institutions to serve the public interest, and leads to a perception that the government is more concerned with serving the interests of the ruling elite.”
Each one teaches one to benefit from Sustainable Development and Human Rights
“Sustainable development must be the essence of our being,” said Dr. Simpson DaSilva, agriculturalist. His presentation focused attention on sustainable development and how these are tied to universal human rights. Pointing out that all the towns should have their sustainability plan implemented, he noted that the world is halfway to realising the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. In September 2015 Guyana joined 192 other countries that adopted the United Nations Agenda.
Noting the rights-some of which are the right to prosper, nutritious food, quality education, among others- are the entitlement of all, DaSilva informed citizens not to wait for anyone to provide these for them but “get up and right for our rights.” He told the audience the path to progress is at times hindered by persons who rely on others and fail to understand the responsibility for action is theirs not the leaders.
DaSilva chided the government’s preferential treatment to some regions, persons and communities, as others are denied or not given similar resources to ensure their sustainable development. He made known such actions are not right, but discriminatory and people must speak out. Development, he said, is more than footballs and play fields and citizens must demand it when governments visit communities and ask what they want. The agriculturalist said people must demand all the 17 Sustainable Goals.
Referring to a time during the Forbes Burnham government when Guyanese were pursuing self-sufficiency through the use of indigenous products, such as bioenergy, the agriculturalist called for a return to action.
Sharing his own experiences extracting and developing local resources, and teaching children about sustainable goals, he told the audience Guyanese can work together for their development, their rights, and bring all together on the same path of sustainable development, which are hinged to universal human rights. “We in Guyana are all entitled to human rights,” DaSilva reminded.
No government, whether of Indian or African majority, is bigger than the combined forces of our people
Roysdale Forde S.C who delivered the feature address, called on all Guyanese to hold the government accountable to a higher standard. He told the audience the suffering of any one of us must be the concern of all of us, and until we become our neighbours’ keeper, then and only then can we effectively combat the excesses, the wrongs, the pillages and acts of discrimination and oppression of any among us.
“We are empowered to so do when we exercise our franchise at the ballot. They must know we have a vote that can terminate them, and we must not be afraid to use it judiciously when such time arises. They know where true power really lies, and they fear it. They fear our coming together on issues and love when our fight remains shrouded by ethnicity that none of us made a choice of or have control over.”
Calling on fellow citizens to unite and elevate Guyana’s politics, Forde said deferring to a crab barrel politics keeps us too busy to see the government is making jackasses of us all. “It’s why they keep us divided and suspicious of each other, feeding us lies and hate.”
The MP called for persons to vote at the upcoming Local Government Elections, making clear citizens must hold the government accountable without fear or favour. “We are empowered to so do when we exercise our franchise at the ballot. They must know we have a vote that can terminate them, and we must not be afraid to use it judiciously when such time arises.”
The audience was told discrimination under the PPP government targets all groups, even though some are more targeted than some as is the case with the African community, but Guyanese must unite to combat discrimination and oppression.
The senior counsel also called on Guyanese to strategise for better governance, to take our citizenship seriously, concluding by asking “Brothers and sisters, are we ready to come together and make change? If so, then let’s do it!”
