Benschop files complaint to Ethnic Relations Commission on Harris’ Cartoon

Social activist and owner of 107.1 FM radio, Mark Benschop, on Thursday, filed a complaint with the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) pertaining to cartoonist P. Harris’ depiction of Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, in Stabroek News of September 19, 2024

Benschop said the cartoon, seem below, is a representation of distasteful journalism, racist and displays contempt for court given the matter is subjudice. The social activist is also contending the cartoon places the security of the senior magistrate as risk given the choice words framing her face.

“When you think of words like ‘vexatious, infuriating, irksome and tiresome,’ those are fighting words; words that would create a natural response of wanting to retaliate against your tormentor, and whose face is encased in those words,” he rhetorically asked. Going further the host of ‘Straight Up with Mark Benschop’ said,  the cartoonist, by his depiction puts “Magistrate Daly’s safety and security is a risk.”

According to the social activist, “behaviours like Harris’ would make good people not want to enter public servant because in Guyana to serve the public with integrity opens you to abuse.”

The alleged fraud trial into the 2020 Elections, which came up on Monday, was adjourned to October 31 because of the senior magistrate’s non-appearance due to illness.

Facing charges related to the alleged rigging of the 2020 General and Regional Elections are: former Health Minister under the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government, Volda Lawrence; former Elections Officer (CEO) at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield; former Deputy CEO at GECOM, Roxanne Myers; former District Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo; and GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller; and Carol Smith-Joseph, People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) member.

It is the social activist’s considered opinion that no judge or magistrate has been this verbally attacked, demeaned and insulted like Senior Magistrate Daly, at least not by the media.

He argued that postponement of cases is not unusual but in the case of Daly she has been the recipient of a barrage of verbal attacks by the media and leaders of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and government.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, who is a member of legal fraternity, labelled the adjournment part of an orchestrated effort to stall justice.

In an invited comment about the complaint, Benschop told Village Voice News he hopes the ERC does not sweep the matter under the carpet, because he will not let it rest, and is prepared to present his argument to substantiate his view the cartoon is despicable, racially insensitive, places the magistrate’s life in danger,  undermines the principle of subjudice and is not good for Guyana.