Dear Editor,
US President Barack Obama on September 23 reaffirmed the long-standing American support to sustaining global civil society’s significant role at a gathering sponsored by the Clinton Global Initiative. President Obama said, “If you want strong, successful countries, you need strong, vibrant civil societies. When citizens are free to organize and work together across borders to make our communities healthier, our environment cleaner, and our world safer, that’s when real change comes.”
Listening to Obama’s speech, I reflected upon my own involvement with civil society organizations, taking stock of where this particular sector stands in Guyana. While a few organizations are working tirelessly to address many social, health, education, economic and cultural issues, there is no overwhelming sense of broad participation in these groups. Most citizens seem to have placed their fortunes and desires complacently in the hands of a few elected politicians. Political discourse emanating from government authority figures and the national assembly dominates the daily narrative, while civil society groups struggle to get coverage of their work and policy positions.
While Obama speaks of citizens being “free to organize and work,” our civil society is paralyzed by a suffocating fear. This fear discourages those from joining civil society groups. This fear silences most civil society groups from voicing policy positions supporting their stated goals. This fear makes the private sector and donors – including those from abroad – shy away from supporting the cause of civil society groups, particularly those that advocate public policy prescriptions. This fear is the single most egregious impediment to civil society growth in Guyana.
This fear stems from real concerns that those in positions of authority and power will intentionally target and discriminate against individuals actively involved in civil society work thus affecting their livelihood. Similarly, from my own experience, I have noticed a form of discrimination against NGOs whose public policy positions do not align with those of political parties or the government. When NGOs such as Blue CAPS speak out on public policy issues, its members and the organization become likely targets for discrimination. This occurs in various forms including public rebuke by political parties. Other forms might be more subtle, such as not being invited to topically relevant meetings, seminars and workshops or not responding to NGO queries or invitations intended for public and political officials.
Members of NGOs are also discriminated against at their places of employment because of their association. This can take the form of direct verbal warnings to disassociate, lack of job promotion as a result of such affiliation, or an expression of scepticism by managers and superiors who question an employee’s capacity for being objective and professional on the job because of their involvement with certain civil society groups. Some are even dismissed from their jobs because of their association.
Private sector firms also fear the potential for political backlash if they venture to support and fund vocal civil society groups so they back away from any form of support or endorsement.
This notwithstanding, civil society must stand firm and never cave in to threats and intimidation for we will never be ‘free’ unless these clouds of fear are lifted.
It is worth listening to the words of President Obama, who reminded that, “when these rights [association and expression] are suppressed, it fuels grievances and a sense of injustice that over time can fuel instability or extremism.” I hope those who attempt to suppress our civil society listen and take directly to heart these wise, prudent words.
Yours faithfully,
Clinton Urling
Blue CAPS
