Dear Editor:
I should be grateful for the publication of this letter in your newspaper, to encourage an open debate and advocacy again for national consensus and national unity by the main political parties whose actions and postures impact the lives of all in this country. It is time to look forward, put aside continuing campaigning for political points, and transcend the blame game.
Let us be frank and admit that in reality, we live in a fractured, divided, wounded and bleeding country related to the politics of race and ethnicity in the contest for political power and dominance by the PPP and PNC for over sixty years. How long must this nation wait for the political conflicts and contests between these two dominant political forces come to an end for the national good? Do we need a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (like South Africa) to bring healing to this nation? Do we need the Secretary General on the United Nations to provide a facilitator to stimulate the dialogue process and mediate differences as may be necessary?
Political dialogue between the leaders of the PPP and the PNC on governance and on social and economic matters should be promoted and adopted as a matter of high priority for the national good. The objective is to foster confidence, high trust, mutual understanding, cordial and civil communication and good relations at the national level. The objective is also to find agreed solutions to political governance and socio-economic problems and issues, and to forge national consensus for political governance and national development. The promotion of political and social justice in Guyana could be achieved if the PPP and the PNC are involved in the search for appropriate solutions through genuine dialogue. They have the major responsibility in the success of the dialogue process.
Genuine political dialogue between the PPP and the PNC offers potential opportunities from which all can gain. The parties are challenged to commit themselves to engage in determined dialogue, based on the principles of mutual trust and good faith. Success in the mutual outcome of political dialogue also requires national commitment and national political will. The building of confidence and trust, their maintenance and sustainability require a high degree of commitment and national leadership.
In Guyana the real challenge is to develop national consensus in the form of national accord on political governance and an agreed programme for social, economic, and human development in the interest of the national communities. National consensus agreements provide the framework for strategies to achieve good political governance, international competitiveness, higher standards of living, improved social protection, a stable currency, investment-friendly policies and a more development-conducive political and social climate in environments which uphold and respect fundamental rights and freedoms at all levels in the national community.
The outcome of political dialogue can promote effective management of the economy in a climate of good political governance with participation of civil society. It is crucial for agreeing on measures for balanced economic, social and political developments. The Governing Authority of the National Assembly and the Government bear a heavy responsibility for ensuring that good governance, “The manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development” reflects fairness and effective political, economic and social justice. A country that is committed to such good political governance will ensure that there is genuine participation by the political and social partners who must demonstrate credibility, transparency, and accountability in the administration and management of national affairs.
The challenges in terms of national strategies is to promote a mature political culture, economic growth, social, political, and human development, call for actions at the national level. It is for the Government, the political parties, private sector, the labour movement and civil society in Guyana –
(a) to respect, promote and realize in good faith the fundamental principles of human rights enshrined in our national Constitution and laws, UN Conventions, and Regional and other International Treaty obligations; and
(b) to adopt through genuine and sustained political dialogue, changes in political governance and the management of national socio-economic and political affairs. These must be promoted in a paradigm shift – from the prolonged confrontational and divisive posture to one which cultivates consensus and cooperation in the national interest.
Let genuine dialogue between the PNC and the PPP begin afresh without delay to achieve national consensus to move this country forward as a united nation. My list for genuine dialogue include: building confidence and high trust, agree on a shared vision for Guyana, constitutional reform aimed at creating a broad based, inclusive Government which can elect the President by two thirds vote by the National Assembly and which caters for one Vice President, allocation constitutionally of ministerial portfolios based on the proportional strengths of the parties forming the Government, electoral reforms, fixed election day, and an agreed programme for political, social, economic and human development for the national good for all citizens.
Samuel J. Goolsarran via email |
Dear Editor:
The disappearance of the medical reports and birth certificates, of the 9 boys allegedly raped by Muslim scholar Neezam Ali, from the court files warrants an immediate and thorough investigation, including enquiry as to all who had access to the files and thus the opportunity to remove evidence. No one must be exempt from the investigation. The fact that this sexual offence case has languished in the court system for so many years, in effect denying these 9 young child survivors of sexual assault their right to a fair trial within a reasonable time, is a violation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Guyana has signed and ratified. The Sexual Offences Act paper committals provisions have been under appeal for a number of years since former (now retired) acting Chief Justice Ian Chang twice ruled in favour of the accused in two sexual offence cases and found that the provisions violate the constitutional right of those charged with sexual offences to confront their accusers.
One of these accused is this same Muslim scholar Neezam Ali. It is well known that rape and other sexual offences leave survivors physically and psychological traumatized, many never fully recovering from the brutality and horror of what has been perpetrated against them. The fact that these 9 child survivors now stand to be denied their right to justice is in itself criminal and points to corruption in the court system and exposes Guyana as a country where access to justice and justice itself can apparently be perverted by money, power, access and influence.
We will not stand by and allow the rights of Guyanese children to be trampled on by the executive, legislative or judicial branches of the state. We stand in solidarity with these 9 boys and all other child survivors of sexual offences who continue to be denied justice and the right to a life free from violence. We call on the UN agencies in Guyana, and in particular UNICEF and all rights organizations to speak out publicly against the violation of the rights of child victims of sexual violence and to do all in their power to ensure that such rights are effectively protected.
Danuta Radzik – Help & Shelter
Karen de Souza – Red Thread
Patricia Sherattan-Bisnauth – Guyana
Responsible Parenthood Association
Andaiye & Vidyaratha Kissoon |