Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton said that the revelations by the United Nations Human Rights Committee concerning the PPP/C’s unwillingness to investigate allegations of corruption and bribery by cabinet officials is a testament to the ruling regime’s lack of accountability and respect for democracy.
He told the press on Thursday that while these revelations by the UN are a total embarrassment to the country and its citizens, the Human Rights Committee exposed the true nature of the Ali-led regime which is “bad governance”.
The Leader of the PNCR, at his party’s press briefing, lambasted Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira for “doctoring”, “evading”, and “fabricating”, her responses to questions posed by US Committee Member Laurence Helfer.
Guyana found itself in the hot seat on Monday at the 140th Session of the Human Rights Committee in Geneva, as a barrage of questions on corruption, human rights and public accountability for state assets were asked, including allegations against Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Teixeira, who appeared virtually to represent Guyana at the hybrid session, delivered an opening statement and fielded inquiries from Committee members.
A particularly pointed question came from Helfer, who inquired about public frustration over Guyana’s alleged failure to investigate reports of corruption involving Jagdeo.
“The Committee… reiterates its request for information on measures to ensure prompt and effective investigations into allegations of corruption and the prosecution of perpetrators. The Committee is aware of public frustration regarding, for example, the failure to investigate reports of corruption by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. Would the state party care to comment on these reports?” Helfer asked.
Teixeira responded that no formal police report had been filed regarding the Vice News broadcast containing allegations of corruption against the VP. Without a formal complaint, she argued, law enforcement authorities were unable to launch an investigation.
“However,” she added, “the VP has answered this issue publicly several times in the same media that has carried these reports.”
Jagdeo had vehemently denied the allegations levelled against him by Su Zhirong in the Vice News report.
At the time of the Vice News broadcast, Su had been a tenant in one of Jagdeo’s properties and living near to where the Vice President resided. Su later disappeared.
Su had said in the Vice News broadcast that he lobbied the Vice President on behalf of Chinese investors and companies. He told the Vice News reporter Isobel Yeung, while she was undercover, that Jagdeo was his boss and “processing fees” had to be paid to him to gain access to lucrative contracts in Guyana.
The Vice President responded to the allegations by saying that Su had brought his name into disrepute and globally it could mean that his image would be sullied.
“Yes, my reputation took a hit globally. They are not Guyanese so they may not know and this could be major because it is international. This could be big,” he said, pointing out that Vice has large viewership globally.
Jagdeo had in April of 2022, announced that Su had seemingly abandoned his place of abode, although he had paid his rent up to the end of May 2022. He also disclosed that he was looking for the man who had openly claimed to be his friend to evict him from the rental property and then signalled that he would be suing Su for libel.
Asked later at a press conference for an update on the suit, Jagdeo said that his legal team had applied for a default judgement and that the case file would be made available. He also said that once this case was closed, there would be additional legal proceedings against other persons who have brought his name into disrepute.
The Vice President said the allegations against him were many and the issue with his tenant was “only the latest iteration. There are lots of allegations… I can tell you about 15 allegations of corruption that they investigated… and they’re still bringing back,” Jagdeo said as he asserted that not one of the claims has been substantiated thus far.
However, Norton opined that the government, at the UN Human Rights Session, could not hide its bad attitude and poor record on the rule of law, transparency, inclusivity, accountability, and human rights. Norton recalled that the Opposition on numerous occasions called for an impartial probe into these allegations involving the Vice President but to date nothing was done.
He said that both President Irfaan Ali and Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn had promised an investigation and nothing was done. “It was therefore disingenuous for Minister Teixeira to contend that there were no complaints against second Vice President Jagdeo. And even if they weren’t, the information was in the public domain and therefore there should have been an investigation,” Norton said.
“The PPP is afraid of investigations because one investigation could trigger the opening of the floodgates against PPP corruption and bad governance.
“Bharrat Jagdeo, in defiance of the national distrust of him, continues to assume increasing responsibility for foreign investments and the oil sector. Today, we can see where he has taken this country with his incompetence, recklessness, lack of patriotism, and technical, and other forms of ignorance. More and more, he jeopardises the basic aspirations of Guyanese to a decent life and economic prosperity. This is among the most grievous violations of human rights under the PPP,” he added.
The PNC/R Leader said that the Opposition is committed to the promotion of good governance which is premised on equity, transparency and accountability.
“These principles will inform the APNU+AFC government as we pursue a people-centred development strategy that puts the people of Guyana first and has as its main objective the delivery of a high quality of life for the people of Guyana,” he told the press.
He concluded, “While the hearings before the UN Human Rights Committee have been an embarrassment for all Guyanese, we all are happy that the PPP regime has been exposed to the world as an undemocratic, secretive, divisive and incompetent authoritarian regime. The hearings removed all the pretence of the government that it is democratic. Its authoritarian nature has been laid bare for the world to see.”
