APNU MP Desmond Trotman is to move a motion on May 7th for the National Assembly to declare that the right of citizens to assemble and demonstrate peacefully outside of Parliament should not be hindered.
In recent years, protesters have been kept away for Parliament without a reason being provided. Parliament Office today served notice that the motion was received on April 19th and is to come up on May 7th.
Trotman’s motion noted that from the early beginnings of the National Assembly there have been public gatherings outside of Public Buildings including demonstrations and protests. The recital to the motion also stated that Article 147 of the Constitution enshrines the right of freedom of assembly and peaceful demonstration.
The motion’s resolve clause urged that the “National Assembly declares that the right of citizens to assemble and to demonstrate peacefully should not be hindered by the Guyana Police Force or any other agency or institution of state;
“The Guyana Police Force should relocate its barricades so as to allow freedom of assembly within a closer proximity of the National Assembly, Public Buildings”.
The motion further resolves that Parliament Office makes arrangements for the broadcast of parliamentary sittings in the environs of the National Assembly.