British High Commissioner to Guyana Andrew Ayre is to hold a press conference on Monday morning at Cara Lodge on the state of democracy in Guyana.
A release from the British High Commission said that Ayre will answer questions pertaining to the statement yesterday by British Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood MP on the prorogation of Guyana’s Parliament.
In his statement, Ellwood said “The UK Government views with concern the continued prorogation of Parliament by His Excellency President Ramotar and calls for its earliest possible resumption. Parliament is required by Guyana’s Constitution and the Commonwealth Charter, it provides the necessary checks and balances and enables citizens’ voices to be heard. The suspension of Parliament therefore means that an essential element of a functioning democracy has been put on hold.
“We also continue to have concerns that there have been no local elections for over 20 years, which is also contrary to the democratic principles of the Commonwealth Charter and Guyana’s own Constitution.
“The UK calls on all stakeholders to seek solutions to the political and socio-economic challenges facing Guyana so that the country can develop in a fair, democratic and equitable way.”
Parliament was suspended on November 10, 2014 and despite promises, President Donald Ramotar is yet to make a further announcement on when general elections will be held. Observers say that the statement by Ellwood and the upcoming press conference are clear signs that the international community is losing patience with the Ramotar administration over the suspension of Parliament and the denial of local government elections.
