The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) is urging civil society groups to renew efforts towards ensuring fundamental electoral reform before the next national polls.
The human rights group is also calling for “more sustained, efficient, transparent parliamentary action” to complete outstanding constitutional and electoral reforms that will increase the accountability of elected representatives to citizens. In this regard, it also proposes that serious consideration be given to the input of civil society proposals culled from the Forum on Effectiveness and Solidarity (FES).
At its 20th Annual General Meeting, the GHRA passed a resolution calling for more vigorous implementation of Article 13 of the Constitution. Article 13 sets out the objective of the country’s political system, and specifically refers to the establishment of “an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affects their well-being.”
In reaching the resolution, the GHRA recalled the commitment of civic organisations after the 2006 polls to “assume greater responsibility for the quality of democracy, development and well-being of our society.” That commitment was prompted by a determination that future elections should be held under a reformed electoral system.
The GHRA expressed its shock at the support that the two major political parties have given to recall legislation, noting that it is aimed at consolidating the power of party leaders over Members of Parliament (MPs) at the expense of accountability to electors.
Last week, former PNCR executive was the first MP to be recalled under the law. McAllister’s recall was among the penalties recommended after an investigation by a disciplinary committee for alleged misconduct. He has claimed that he was the victim of a personal vendetta pursued by the representative of the list and PNCR Robert Corbin and he has denounced the legislation as “draconian” and “undemocratic.”
The rights body was also disappointed by the failure of the government to sustain the timeframe and implementation of commitments made at the National Stakeholder’s Forum.
Among the commitments were the appointment of six outstanding constitutional commissions within a ninety-day timeframe; the convening and activation of the Constitutional Reform Committee, to examine outstanding issues and potential areas for reform; ensuring meaningful and effective participation of civil society in the parliamentary processes; and exploring an agreed mechanism for the continuation of the National Stake-holders’ Forum. The rights group registered its frustration at the “lack of transparency and impartiality” in selection procedures for the constitutional commissions.
Nevertheless, the GHRA said it is encouraged by the civil response at the FES, which has put forward several proposals on constitutional reforms, and in particular rectifying the anomalies embedded the constitutional rights commissions.
