Dear Editor,
I wish to applaud the move made by the joint parliamentary opposition to work together to ensure that the plight of the Guyanese people is highlighted and addressed at the regional level.
I believe that this act of mature, sensible and responsible political leadership demonstrates a positive sign for Guyana and indicates that in times of serious threats to fundamental rights, symptoms of a tyrannical regime, rampant and vicious criminality and other social, political, and economic pressures national political leadership must rise above partisanship in the interest of the nation.
In a KN article (04.04.08) captioned ‘AFC says National Assembly void of parliamentary democracy…this could lead to extra-parliamentary measures such as protests’ the AFC states that “…the government’s actions of late illustrate the point that no opposition party has any say in Parliament.” The party at a press conference held on April 1, 2008, cited examples which gave credence to their position, one being the government’s refusal to incorporate opposition amendments in the Prime Minister’s motion on the crime situation.
The PNCR, I believe, has taken to the streets time and time again to protest this reality, since all legislative avenues appear to be blocked and meaningful parliamentary discourse might be impossible. Once these first options become unavailable the people may become victims of a system orchestrated to keep their willpower in check. In such a situation collective action is necessary to stave off further damage to the nation. I am therefore pleased that the political opposition have taken this collective approach. Again, parties demonstrated that the interest of the people of Guyana is paramount, and, therefore, must be protected. I urge that we all turn out in our numbers and sign on to this petition, since it is only we ourselves who can best fight our battles. On May 26, 2008 we will celebrate 42 years of independence, therefore, let us demonstrate that we are prepared to take on any political establishment that seeks to disregard our independence. Our peaceful, tolerant and co-operative nature must not be taken for weakness; let us show strength through our signatures.
Let us encourage each other to sign the petition and support the efforts of the Guyana Action Party/Rise Organize and Rebuild Guyana, Alliance for Change and the Peoples National Congress Reform as they give leadership to take our fight to another level. I know there will be many challenges, much discouraging propaganda and much back-biting, but we must stand up for ourselves. Too many wrongs have been allowed to happen for too long; we have a chance to end them. We must let Caricom know that all is not well in Guyana and they can intervene to help us, after all we are one single market and economy. The people of Guyana need your help, Caricom.
Yours faithfully,
Lurlene Nestor
