-in Trinidad ad
Sounding an alarm over what it calls “political oppression” here, the AFC has launched an ad campaign to bring its concerns about the Bharrat Jagdeo administration’s governance to the attention of Caribbean and Latin America leaders attending the ongoing Summit of the Americas.
An ad, running in today’s Trinidad Express newspaper to coincide with Port-of-Spain’s hosting of the Summit, decries the Bharrat Jagdeo government’s actions in areas including press freedom, crime and governance. “Right here in the Americas,” it says, “Political oppression in Guyana.” The ad also appears in today’s Stabroek News.
It addresses all leaders attending the Summit, thanking them for committing to work towards a peaceful and unified Caribbean and Latin America, while highlighting areas of concern. “Let’s keep the region democratic, accountable and committed to good governance,” it says, “Please help save Guyana!”
AFC Vice-chairperson Sheila Holder told Stabroek News that with the campaign the party hopes to internationalise issues that the administration has been failing to address in order to prompt some action. “We hope it serves as a wake up call so [President Bharrat Jagdeo] can address those issues on his return,” she said.
According to Holder, the government’s failure to address the fundamental issues affecting the people is a demonstration of bad governance, which has been creating greater instability in the society. She said people are not paying heed to the rule of law, while institutions are failing to provide the checks and balances they are supposed to. She insisted that the ads do not libel or vilify anyone, while noting that a similar approach had been taken by the PPP while it was in the opposition. “It is simply stating facts for the recognition of the Summit leaders [and] also for the people in Trinidad and Tobago,” she said. The AFC has a duty to sensitise them on the issues, Holder added, especially since they fall within the Summit objectives, including better governance.
Among the issues raised in ad is the absence of local government elections for almost 15 years. The party accused the government of not implementing reforms.
The AFC says too that only one radio station, which is state-owned and controlled by the government, exists in Guyana. It explains that in Region 10, residents have access to only the state-owned and controlled television station, while the government has repeatedly denied requests by privately owned stations to expand their reach.
It adds that despite a court ruling directing the government to process applications for TV licences, the administration has refused to obey it.
Additionally, it highlights the fact that there is no Freedom of Information legislation despite several demands as well as the failure to establish the Human Rights and Procurement Commissions.
Further, the AFC notes the extensive corruption in law enforcement and government found by Transparency International, while also pointing to links claimed by confessed drug trafficker Roger Khan with the government and the failure to investigate it.
It also cited the recent findings of the report on the mission to Guyana by the UN Independent Expert on Minority Issues, which said the country is ethnically polarized.
