Dear Editor,
Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett must stand behind the podium.
I am calling on Carolyn Rodrigues-to stand behind the podium, not merely as Guyana’s representative on the international stage, but as a Guyanese, and call upon her own government and President Irfaan Ali to immediately end what appears to be the political persecution and intimidation of the Leader of the Opposition.
You cannot stand before the world and speak about democracy, human rights, good governance, and the rule of law while, in your own country, a legitimate political opposition leader is allegedly being subjected to police intimidation, surveillance, handcuffing, detention, and public humiliation.
Guyana cannot credibly present itself internationally as a mature democracy while its domestic political conduct raises serious questions about the treatment of political opponents.
Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett, this is the moment for moral courage.
Diplomacy is not simply about defending a government’s position abroad. It is also about defending the democratic principles that give a government legitimacy in the first place.
If the Leader of the Opposition is a constitutionally recognized political officeholder, then his rights, dignity, liberty, and ability to participate freely in democratic politics must be protected, not undermined.
I am therefore calling on Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to speak with urgency and clarity.
Call on the government of President Irfaan Ali to stop the political intimidation. Call for due process. Call for respect for constitutional democracy. Call for an end to any actions designed to silence, intimidate, or politically marginalize the opposition. And let me be clear, silence is also a statement.
If you can speak forcefully about democracy to the international community, you should be equally prepared to speak forcefully when democratic principles are threatened at home.
Guyana’s democracy cannot be a podium performance for the international community. It must be a lived reality for every Guyanese citizen,i ncluding the Leader of the Opposition.
Stand behind the podium, Ambassador. Speak now, and speak with urgency. God bless our beautiful Guyana !
Yours truly,
Rick Itwaru
