Dear Editor,
I have observed that several of the media houses in Guyana underscored the fact that Canada was not one of the signatories when a joint statement was presented by Western diplomats following the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling on July 12. The dictum had stated, “… It is important for the rule of law that all invoked actors abide by its ruling and the relevant provisions of the Constitution. We urge everyone to do so expeditiously”.
Many supporters of the government in the social media used Canada’s absence from this latest joint statement by American Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, United Kingdom High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, and European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Jernej Videtič to state that Canada is “neutral” and “indifferent”, and wants no part in the politics of the country. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
I contacted the High Commission of Canada to inquire about Canada’s apparent lack of interest in joining other Western nations to encourage the politicians to abide with the court rulings. A top official from the High Commission assured me that Canada has articulated the need for stakeholders to abide by the constitution, and there is certainly no indifference to the goings-on in the country. Canada is still among the “ABC/EU” bloc that takes a strong interest in the happenings in Guyana.
I urge the Guyanese people to contact various local and international outfits to condemn the apparent wanton defiance of the constitution, and let the government know that it will not be business as usual with such audacious bravado.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Devanand Bhagwan
