Dear Editor,
I categorically condemn the blockage at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport of Member of Parliament and senior member of the Alliance for Change (AFC), David Patterson.
The Government of Guyana has demonstrated and affirmed the view that political persecution and the cracking down on their political opponents is alive and real in a dangerous way.
There should be little doubt that this directive proceeded from the government and was surreptitiously whispered to junior functionaries of the Immigration Department.
Fearful about losing their jobs, these junior functionaries executed the illegal and egregious instructions.
The Government of Guyana and the People’s Progressive Party must be reminded that the political weapon of blacklisting citizens with trumped up charges, is not constitutional.
This was made clear by Justice Navindra Singh in his High Court ruling on January 1 2023 .
The Government must be reminded that the decisions of the Court must be respected and the conditions of bail must not be subject to the political whims and fancies of thin skinned snowflakes of the state who cannot handle critique and scrutiny.
I hereby call on the Government to desist from the practice of using the blacklist as a political tool in
flagrant violation of the law.
Further in my view it prudent for legal proceedings to be initiated and this should serve as a deterrent to this unlawful practice and for a thorough investigation to be conducted into this most flagrant violation of Mr. Patterson’s rights which are guaranteed under our Constitution.
I also call on the acting Commissioner of Police to operate in a professional manner and desist from taking political directives.
The excuse that Mr. Patterson’s name was mistakenly left on the “No Fly List “ is as comical as it is ridiculous.
Might I remind the acting Commissioner of Police of the Guyana Police Force Mission Statement:- “ The Mission of the Guyana Police Force and its Auxiliaries is to serve all citizens and communities of Guyana in a professional, pro-active and accountable manner.”
Yours faithfully,
Ms. Geeta Chandan-Edmond
Attorney-at-Law
APNU +AFC Member of
Parliament
