Social activist and broadcaster Mark Benschop, no stranger to organising and leading public protests, is calling for an escalation of nationwide demonstrations over the MV Barima tragedy, arguing that sustained public pressure is the only way to compel the Government to answer for one of Guyana’s deadliest maritime disasters.
Speaking during Friday evening’s edition of his online programme Straight Up with Mark Benschop, Benschop urged citizens to intensify demonstrations, saying governments respond only when confronted by sustained public resistance.
“Oppressors only listen to one language—boots on the ground, with thousands of people on the streets to shut the country down,” he declared. “The protest has to be daily and sustained… constant banging, every single day.”
Benschop argued that the nationwide demonstrations should continue until the Government is held accountable for its handling of the disaster, which claimed dozens of lives after the state-owned MV Barima capsized on July 18 while en route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.
The broadcaster also rejected the Government’s Commission of Inquiry into the tragedy, arguing that it cannot be viewed as independent while the ministers responsible for the country’s maritime sector remain in office.
“There can be no independent Commission of Inquiry with Ministers Edghill and Indar remaining in office,” Benschop said. “They have to go!”
His comments come while protesters continue demanding the resignation of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar. Demonstrators have also called for a full independent investigation into the sinking, the recovery of the vessel from the seabed and accountability for officials responsible for maritime safety.
During the programme, Benschop delivered a scathing critique of Guyana’s justice system, arguing that public confidence has been eroded by what many citizens perceive as political interference in state institutions.
“A lot of them are corrupt,” he said before referring to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C. While stopping short of alleging misconduct by the officeholder, Benschop said many Guyanese believe the justice system has been compromised because it functions within what he described as a corrupt political system.
“I’m not saying that about the Director of Public Prosecutions,” he said. “But she has held that position for many years, and a lot of people believe there is something wrong with that. They believe the Director of Public Prosecutions is part of a corrupt political system.”
He argued that many citizens no longer believe criminal prosecutions are determined solely by the evidence but instead suspect that political considerations influence decisions in high-profile matters.
His remarks come amid public criticism of the decision to charge Captain Kevin Price, Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts and Cargo Superintendent Delon Granderson with 72 counts of murder in connection with the sinking. Many protesters contend that the charges unfairly target frontline workers while failing to examine the role of officials and regulatory agencies responsible for the ferry’s operation, inspection and seaworthiness.
The Government has also faced criticism over the composition of its Commission of Inquiry, with opposition parties, legal commentators, trade unions, governance and civil society groups questioning whether the body can command public confidence because of the perceived political affiliations of some commissioners.
Further controversy surrounds the Government’s refusal to recover the MV Barima from the seabed despite repeated calls from victims’ families, opposition figures and other critics who argue that the wreck is a crucial piece of forensic evidence. Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has publicly offered to finance and coordinate the recovery of the vessel, stating that the necessary technical contacts have already been made, but the Government has not accepted the proposal.
Benschop maintained that public demonstrations must continue until meaningful accountability is achieved. He argued that only sustained pressure from thousands of citizens can compel the Government to respond to demands for ministerial resignations, an independent investigation, the recovery of the vessel and full accountability for the disaster.
