US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole D. Theriot, on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on Executive Members of the Alliance For Change (AFC) at its Centre For Change headquarters and heard complaints about the erosion of democratic principles.
In attendance were Khemraj Ramjattan MP, the leader of the AFC, the Party’s Chairperson Cathy Hughes MP and General Secretary Sherod Duncan MP.
An AFC press release described the meeting as frank and informative and said that matters of mutual importance were raised with the Ambassador.
According to the AFC, the party reiterated to the Ambassador that constitutional reform “must be placed high on the national agenda”; the importance of a new electoral list as a fundamental requirement prior to the holding of the next election; and, the introduction of biometrics at the place of poll. The AFC instilled these as necessary to ensure confidence in the electoral process. It was acknowledged that several Observer Missions to the 2020 General Elections emphasised the importance of a new list for the next General Elections.
The AFC said additional concerns were raised regarding the “rapid erosion” of the democratic principles of transparency, accountability and freedom of speech which is occurring in Guyana with alarming intensity recently. The party informed the Ambassador of its observance of the unwillingness by the PPP/C government to ensure participation of the Opposition and civil society in the decision-making processes of the State; and, even meaningful consultation where that is statutorily provided for.
The party, during the discussions, registered its disappointment that the Parliamentary system was not operating at its optimum, and evidenced this by the non-establishment and non-functioning of its various Committees and a number of Statutory Commissions. Also discussed was the current strike by teachers and the “disrespectful and dismissive” treatment by the Government against teachers who are demanding their right to collective bargaining as the means for better remuneration.
The AFC said it forewarned that further deterioration in the industrial climate can “ferment a situation detrimental to all Guyana and even further afield.” Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to upholding democratic principles and calling out violations thereof, and the meeting was signaled as the first of many.
