-AFC, GAP-ROAR
Two parliamentary opposition parties say that despite the quiet being experienced today, they like other Guyanese believe this is just the calm before the storm as the criminal gangs responsible for Lusignan, Bartica and other atrocities remain on the loose.
The Alliance For Change (AFC) and GAP-ROAR at a joint press conference held at the Sidewalk Café yesterday said that that the spawning of gangs that lay siege to towns and communities must be seen as posing a threat to both national security and the political order.
No effort must be spared and “The solution therefore has to be multifaceted if it is to be successful”, the parties said noting that since January 26 up to the present there has been no significant development leading to the capturing and dismantling of the criminal gang or gangs that have been responsible for the Agricola, Lusignan and Bartica massacres and for the murder of journalist Ronald Waddell and Minister Satyadeow Sawh.
The parties held the press conference to outline their position on their withdrawal from parliament last Thursday over the motion affirming the contents of the agreement hammered out by the stakeholders in several meetings with President Bharrat Jagdeo. On Thursday, the two parties along with the PNCR had walked out of parliament in protest at the government’s refusal to consider amendments to the motion which was tabled by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.
The motion was passed by the government benches of the House. The motion had sought to have the National Assembly take note of and accept the output of the national stakeholders meeting and to provide its fullest support and assign its highest priority in implementing commitments that called for action by parliamentary bodies
Reading from a prepared statement yesterday, AFC Member of Parliament Sheila Holder said that when members were given copies of the motion submitted by the Prime Minister and asked to submit amendments they did so with the belief that such a historic outcome should be given expression in a motion that truly reflected not only what was agreed initially but also what hopes and expectations they all had for the way forward. She said that the motion’s two resolve clauses fell far below the minimum expectations of the stakeholders.
She contended that their suggested amendments were few but consistent with the spirit of the stakeholders’ “Bourda Accord”. The amendments included that a reference be made to Article 13 of the constitution which enjoins all stakeholders to work towards the establishment of an “inclusive democracy” in which every citizen will be guaranteed a say on the decision-making process; that all parliamentary parties be given equitable access to the state media being the Guyana Chronicle and NCN to present their views and opinions; that Freedom of Information legislation be supported by all and enacted and that the National Assembly accepts that an appropriate mechanism must be found to deepen and strengthen the stakeholders’ process and to pursue all the recommendations made including the need for a holistic approach to crime solving by addressing the root causes of criminal and political violence and other governance issues.
Holder stated that bearing in mind that the previous day opposition business including the calling for an investigation into GPL was “unceremoniously and selfishly dispatched by the government”, they had believed that the government would have appreciated the sensitivity of the moment and the political expediency of maintaining an atmosphere of comprise and cooperation in a parliamentary democracy by agreeing to all or some of the proposed amendments.
“It goes without saying that the unanimous support of all the parliamentary parties was required for a Motion such as this and to that extent therefore the views of the parties must be included as long as the spirit and intent of the Stakeholders engagement was not violated. Unfortunately, the government had a different opinion and gave the parties a fait accompli as if to say it is our way or no way at all”, the parliamentarian declared.
She said that the two parties could not accept that and “therefore had to demonstrate our displeasure and disgust” adding that they stood firmly with the stakeholders’ agreement and expect implementation of the specific terms and all consequential matters as early as possible. They say they also remain ready and willing to proceed on the bases of sincerity, trust and respect.
“By not supporting these amendments which sought to strengthen the stakeholders’ agreement the government is showing a naked contempt for the parliamentary process and the stakeholders. By doing so they displayed a continuing attitude and approach of not giving any quarter to the opposition’s proposals in and out of the National Assembly”, she stated. The government has said that the points the opposition wanted inserted in the motion had not been approved by the stakeholders.
Meanwhile, answering questions from the media, AFC chairman Khemraj Ramjattan said that the walkout will not affect their participation in the parliamentary process as they are participating in the parliamentary committees. He said that the party reserved the right to return to parliament on issues but compared it to “being on a pitch but can’t bat or bowl”.
