Lawlessness Cannot Be the New Normal in Guyana- Forde

By Roysdale Forde S.C-The fabric of Guyana’s democratic society is under severe strain, as evidenced by a recent, egregious incident that lays bare the troubling state of governance under the Ali/Jagdeo administration. On a live social media broadcast, witnessed by countless citizens, Mr. Bryan Max was subjected to a vicious assault by Mr. Mikhail Rodrigues also known as the “Guyanese Critic.”

This figure, far from being a neutral commentator, has established a reputation as a mouthpiece for the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), enjoying close ties to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. The audacity of this act, committed in full view of the public, signals a profound erosion of the rule of law and a dangerous normalisation of impunity.

This was not merely an attack on an individual. It was an assault on the principles of decency, justice, and the democratic values enshrined in Guyana’s Constitution. The brazenness with which this act was perpetrated, coupled with the assailant’s apparent confidence in evading accountability, speaks to a broader culture of lawlessness fostered by the current administration.

As the eminent jurist Lord Bingham of Cornhill once declared, “The rule of law requires that all persons, including those in positions of power or their associates, be subject to transparent, predictable, and impartial legal processes.” The incident involving Mr. Max stands in stark violation of this principle, exposing a system where political allegiance appears to shield individuals from the consequences of their actions.

The response from the Guyana Police Force, a tepid statement announcing a “probe” into the incident, and bail of $50,000.00, does little to inspire confidence. This vague commitment to investigation, often a precursor to inaction, insults the intelligence of Guyana’s law-abiding citizens. It is a pattern that has become all too familiar: those within the PPP/C’s orbit act with impunity, while the institutions tasked with upholding justice appear compromised or incapacitated.

The words of former Chief Justice of South Africa, Ismail Mahomed, resonate here: “The rule of law is the foundation of a just society, but it is fragile and requires constant vigilance to prevent its erosion by those who wield power.” The failure to swiftly and decisively address this act of violence undermines public trust in the very institutions meant to protect society.

Consider the disparity in treatment. Would an ordinary Guyanese citizen, unaffiliated with the ruling elite, be afforded such leniency after committing a public act of violence captured on camera? The answer is unequivocally no. Yet, when the perpetrator is a known associate of the Vice President or the PPP/C, the response is marked by delay, equivocation, and apparent deference.

This double standard sends a chilling message: political loyalty serves as a shield against accountability, and violence is tacitly condoned as a tool of political discourse. Such a precedent threatens the very foundation of Guyana’s democracy, fostering an environment where fear supplants freedom and justice is subordinated to power.

The Ali/Jagdeo administration’s governance has been characterised by a troubling pattern of intimidation, propaganda, and selective enforcement of the law. The assault on Mr. Max is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a deeper malaise—a government that prioritises protecting its allies over safeguarding the rights of its citizens.

This administration’s actions betray a disregard for the principles of equality before the law, a cornerstone of any functioning democracy. The result is a creeping authoritarianism that risks plunging Guyana into a state where thuggery is normalised, and dissent is silenced through fear.

The implications of this trajectory are profound. If lawlessness is allowed to fester, Guyana stands at the precipice of becoming a nation where might triumphs over right, and where the rule of law is reduced to a hollow slogan. The public’s outrage must extend beyond this single act of violence to the systemic failures it represents. The time for complacency has passed; the stakes are too high to allow this administration’s culture of impunity to persist unchecked.

The path forward demands resolute action. First, the Guyana Police Force must conduct a transparent, impartial, and expedited investigation into the assault on Mr. Max, ensuring that justice is administered without fear or favour. Second, civil society, the media, and all stakeholders committed to democracy must hold the government accountable, demanding reforms to strengthen institutional independence and restore public confidence.

Third, the citizens of Guyana must unite in rejecting the moral decay and authoritarian tendencies that define this administration’s tenure. The ballot box remains the ultimate arbiter of change, and the people must exercise their democratic rights to demand a government that upholds the rule of law.

The assault on Mr. Max is a clarion call for action; a reminder that democracy is not a given but a responsibility. It is incumbent upon every Guyanese to defend the principles of justice, equality, and accountability that form the bedrock of our nation. The Ali/Jagdeo administration’s failure to uphold these values cannot be met with silence or resignation. Instead, it must galvanise a collective resolve to reclaim Guyana’s democracy, restore dignity to public life, and ensure that lawlessness is not permitted to become the new normal.

Enough is enough. The time for change is now. Let us make that change now.