Melissa Atwell is a human rights activist who resides in the United States. In 2019 Atwell was charged with defamation and libel against the Balwant Singh Hospital. She had used her Facebook page to share negative reviews about the hospital. These allegations came from patients and staff of the hospital. The hospital claimed that the allegations were untrue and caused the hospital financial harm. They sued her for ten million dollars. However, the controversy involving Balwant Singh Hospital did not deter Atwell from continuing to use her social media platforms to expose corruption, injustice, and inequality. The shocking revelations often include allegations about government officials or those who are affiliated with them. We have seen revelations about bribery, drug trafficking, money laundering, cronyism, and nepotism. Corruption involving the Guyana Police Force has also been highlighted. Issues such as the molestation and rape of children and the abuse of women have all been highlighted on Atwell’s page.
With a Facebook following of over a hundred and twenty eight thousand, many Guyanese trust Atwell to highlight their issues. They often choose to do it anonymously fearing that they may be victimised if their identities were to be exposed. The fact that some people feel afraid to speak freely in Guyana is troubling. In any democratic society free speech should not be threatened. The fact that Atwell has emerged as one of the loudest voices on social media exposing corruption in Guyana is of course unsettling to some. Some of those exposed or accused claim that the allegations are untrue and defamatory. However, documents backing up Atwell’s claims are also often posted.
Some may even say that Atwell is doing a more thorough job at exposing corruption than the main opposition whom Atwell has also criticised. Many have accused the opposition of having weak leadership and of having their own skeletons in the closet. Often the opposition is silent about corruption and other issues affecting the ordinary man. We see that the ‘One Guyana’ is but a dream and that it is a minority that is benefitting the most from Guyana’s wealth and enriching their generations, while the people are left wondering, who really stands for them. Living in Guyana is becoming increasingly difficult for many. It is not just that many can no longer afford to live, but the essential necessities like having running water and electricity 24/7 or newly built roads that last more than a month are but a dream.
Atwell’s activism has resulted in threats and charges. Seen as a direct threat to censor and criminalise Atwell and other overseas based Guyanese who highlight political corruption, the government recently announced plans to amend the cyber-crime laws. The Attorney General Anil Nandlall said that it was the government’s intention to protect citizens from social media slander. The law reform commission was asked to review the criminal procedure statutory provisions and amendments were proposed to allow for documents to be served to overseas- based Guyanese for committing cybercrimes in Guyana.
Overseas-based Guyanese have taken on the task of speaking for those who cannot speak in Guyana for the fear of victimisation. Melissa Atwell however seems to be one of, if not the biggest thorn in the government’s side. Some believe that she will be prosecuted if she were to return to Guyana. Events this week revealed that there are those in positions of power now targeting the relatives of Atwell.
Imagine police invading the home of a sick elderly woman and her daughter to search the home without showing them a search warrant. This was a search that many believe is politically motivated and a warning to Atwell to stop her activism on social media.
The police searched the home of Atwell’s mother and her 87 year old grandmother who is not in the best of health. They claimed that they were searching for drugs. Atwell said that the police claimed that drugs were being sent to the home in barrels and boxes. Ridiculousness and idiocy know no bounds in Guyana. Witnesses claimed that the police found nothing in the home. Later there was a press release that they found a bag containing 27grams of cannabis near some banana trees in an alleyway near the home.
I try to have faith in the Guyana Police Force because I know that there are officers in the force who are decent citizens of this country and who themselves do not agree with how the police force is often used to bully, victimise, and even kill citizens of this country. We are still waiting on justice for Orin Boston, Quindon Bacchus, and the others. However, police officers perhaps sometimes feel they have no choice when they are sent on these missions to oppress and traumatise the people of this country. The police officers are also women and men with families to take care of. However, when a majority stands and says no, the minority cannot win. If most of the police force were to stand and say that they would not partake in the nefarious activities that target innocent citizens of this country, what can the minority do? Fire the majority that opposes them? Then what?
Political victimisation has been seen in Guyana for as long as we have known ourselves. It is sad that those in positions of power often become arrogant and through their actions oppress the citizens of this country.
Opposition parties condemned the actions of the Guyana Police Force in searching the home of Melissa Atwell’s mother and grandmother. Many ordinary citizens also condemned the actions.
The fact that the government wants to find ways of silencing the voices of overseas-based Guyanese is telling. If the Guyanese people are treated fairly, if they can afford to live, if those in positions of power do their jobs in truth and not corruption there would be no need for the constant allegations. There would be no need to expose them for wrongdoings. No one would be asking “Who Su?”
