In Guyana today, freedom of speech, a fundamental pillar of any democracy, is increasingly under threat under the Irfaan Ali/Bharrat Jagdeo regime. The regime’s use of the Cybercrime Act and other laws as tools to stifle dissent and target those who hold them accountable has escalated in recent months. The most recent victims of this abuse are Melissa ‘Melly Mel’ Atwell and Rickford Burke, two individuals who have found themselves in the crosshairs of a regime eager to suppress critical voices.
Under the guise of protecting national security or combating cybercrime, the PPP regime has weaponised the law to silence critics. The Cybercrime Act, while intended to address genuine online threats, is being misused to punish those who dare to question the government’s actions or expose its corruption. This is not about protecting the public from harm; it is about intimidating dissent, controlling the narrative, and quashing any form of opposition to the government.
In addition to the legal threats, the regime has been using state resources to punish critics or reward loyalists. The distribution of government contracts, a critical tool in Guyana’s economy, has been politicised to such an extent that it now serves as a means of silencing opposition and rewarding sycophants. Those who speak out against the regime’s excesses find themselves deprived of opportunities, while those who remain silent or toe the party line are handsomely rewarded.
This situation reflects a deepening authoritarianism, where the regime seeks not only to suppress free speech but also to create an environment of fear and compliance.
The constitutional right to free expression is under assault, and silence is not an option. If we allow this trend to continue, we risk turning a blind eye to the erosion of the very freedoms that make us who we are.
This is a moment for all Guyanese, regardless of political affiliation, to stand up and defend the principles that have guided our nation. Pastor Martin Niemöller’s famous poem, “First They Came,” serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of complacency in the face of authoritarianism. It begins:
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
If we remain silent now, it won’t be long before no one is left to defend the right to speak freely. Free speech is not just a luxury; it is the lifeblood of a functioning democracy. Free speech allows us to hold our government accountable, protect the rights of the marginalised, and ensure that power is not concentrated in the hands of a few.
Now is the time for all Guyanese, including those who support the PPP, to recognise the growing threats to our freedoms and act before it’s too late. We must push back against this government’s attempts to silence us. Our voices are our most powerful weapon, and we must never let them be silenced.
The right to free speech is non-negotiable, and it is time for all Guyanese to defend it.
