Dear Editor,
The Guyana Peace Council (GPC) joins with other progressive organizations in observance of International Day of Democracy. The theme of this year’s observance ‘Empowering the next generation’ is of special relevance in today’s world in which millions of people are trapped by undemocratic and authoritarian rule. The future prospects of millions of young people are undermined by undemocratic and authoritarian forms of governance.
The day, August 15 was designated by the United Nations to focus attention on the need for governments and the international community to lend support to the strengthening and consolidation of democracy and democratic institutions.
The GPC supports the view that democracy and its institutional guardrails must be based, first and foremost, on respect for the right of people to self-determination; respect for people living in different political systems and for a country’s sovereignty and independence which is essential for the establishment of peace. Further, the GPC is of the view that democracy should be tailored to suit each country’s historical, cultural traditions and political experiences. Democracy cannot be copied nor imposed from one country to another nor practiced on the basis that ‘one size fits all’.
Notwithstanding, the GPC recognizes that democracy continues to be under threat in several parts of the world, including Guyana. For over two decades Guyana’s democracy was subverted by the PNC regime with disastrous economic and social consequences. The nexus between democracy and democracy has been firmly established by economists and development practitioners.
Despite that obvious fact, attempts were again made by the APNU+AFC coalition to subvert the will of the Guyanese electorate in the March 2020 Regional and General elections.
The Guyana Peace Council salutes all those who stood out in defence of democracy in Guyana and for that matter democracy in other countries of the world where democracy is under threat and where the will of the electorate is being subverted through undemocratic means.
Democracy based on the universal principle of One Man, One Vote is enshrined in the United Nations Charter and is therefore obligatory for all subscribing nations to not only abide by the Charter but to defend democracy where threatened or subverted.
Yours faithfully,
Clement J. Rohee
for Guyana Peace Council