Citizens, civil society advocates, and trade union representatives today announce the escalation of their long-running protest demanding genuine implementation of Guyana’s Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
Having spent months exposing the inaction and obstruction by the Office of the Commissioner of Information, protestors will now take their peaceful demonstration directly to the Office of the President, which under the Act is the constitutional authority responsible for ensuring that the public’s right to know is protected.
“The Commissioner’s continued refusal to perform his basic legal duty to process requests is indefensible,” said Norris Witter, respected trade union leader. “But the greater scandal is the President’s complete failure to hold the Commissioner accountable, or to protect citizens who are insulted and ignored for daring to seek information.”
Under the FOI Act, requests must be submitted to the Commissioner, who acts as the clearing house for official documents. When this mechanism is deliberately stalled or used to frustrate access, the entire right to information collapses – a direct breach of Article 146 of Guyana’s Constitution.
Ms. Vanda Radzik, veteran civil society advocate and rights defender, added: “We have done our part as citizens. Now we are forced to stand up for our right to access public information because those entrusted to provide it have failed to carry out their duty.”
The protestors, including activist Christopher Ram, have made it clear that they will maintain their campaign until meaningful action is taken to restore the credibility of Guyana’s freedom of information system.
“When one official refuses to do his work and the other refuses to act, citizens must stand up,” said Ram. “This is about transparency, accountability, and the simple respect our Constitution demands.”
