The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has urged opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP/C to rethink their plan to boycott sittings when the National Assembly reconvenes, while saying that both government and the opposition must work together to unite the nation and secure its patrimony for the benefit of all.
The call by the umbrella union body was made in response to Jagdeo saying that the opposition party will not attend any sitting of the National Assembly before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) pronounces on its appeal against the Guyana Court of Appeal ruling invalidating the passage of the December 21st no-confidence motion against the government.
“GTUC calls for an end to the squabbling. Government and Opposition, as they await the CCJ’s ruling, must spend time together in activities that can weld this nation and secure its patrimony for the well-being of all,” the GTUC said in a statement issued yesterday.
“There is much work to be done to give meaning to the political system of inclusionary democracy as outlined in Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution. In pursuit of this the National Assembly remains a prime forum to be involved in the decision-making processes at a constitutional level. As such Mr. Jagdeo and team must rethink their position of boycotting,” it added.
The GTUC noted that the right to seek judicial intervention, at any time, is guaranteed to every citizen and organisation.
It further noted that from the inception the parties of interest had signalled their intent to exhaust the court process on the validity of the passage of the motion as well as the fact that as President David Granger initially recognised the National Assembly’s vote and thereafter his government proceeded to the High Court, Jagdeo has acted similarly. Following the decision, Jagdeo said he respected the Appeal Court’s ruling but signalled his intention to proceed to the CCJ to challenge it.
The GTUC called for the rulings of both the High Court and Appeal Court to be given their due regard. “Efforts at partial referencing to the rulings undermine a Judiciary making every effort to address issues of political overtones with a level of alacrity; a practice not seen in a very long time. Further, partial referencing intensifies tension and division, including assault on race, doing more harm than good to the society,” it added.
The GTUC further pointed out that since the issue has become primarily about elections, there has been a continued practice of deliberately misrepresenting the acting Chief Justice’s ruling in the High Court as to when elections ought to be held. It did not identify which party has been responsible in this regard. However, it warned that applying individual interpretation to the Chief Justice’s rulings and insisting such be implemented, particularly where the Court of Appeal just pronounced and the CCJ is yet to do so, fly in the face of the judiciary.
Against this background, the GTUC said Guyana is in need of a higher level of discourse, particularly as it relates to public officials. “This is important if we are to move forward as a growing, responsible and intelligent unit. Growth must not only be defined through economic measurements but by every aspect of our social experiences. GTUC makes this call for a new approach to bring sobriety to our current situation as we continue our pursuit for good governance,” it added.
This generation, it argued, must set new standards for the country’s youth to use their learning and scholarship to hold people accountable and to lift the integrity bar. In this regard, the GTUC said the University of Guyana has the potential to lead the movement, with the social scientists, historians and legal luminaries playing a greater role in advancing deeper thought in the public discourse, rather than leaving the space only to political pundits and agent provocateurs whose interest are oftentimes not the people’s.
“The dominant emphasis on election is occupying every space and undermining every effort for engagement by and amongst groups and individuals to develop a system that would cause everyone to benefit. As the power struggle escalates planeloads are arriving everyday with foreigners seeking opportunities to exploit this nation’s resources, primarily our gold, oil and gas. These persons are moving with record speed in establishing businesses, seeking out employment and other economic opportunities. If Guyanese are not careful, we will be deprived of what’s justly ours. Time to wake up!” it added.
