Dear Editor, Is it not yet time for the policymakers and administrators at the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) to own up to their mistakes, and to take responsibility for the beleaguered state of our capital city rather than attempting to chastise and penalize everyone else? Quite recently, a major revenue scam was uncovered, whereby it was discovered that a large number of vendors were issued fake receipts by revenue staff for vending fees and rents paid. One would have thought that the Police would have…
Read MoreCategory: Letters
Any government that wants to block criticisms must be questioned
Dear Editor, The Cyber Crimes Bill with its obnoxious and evil “sedition clause” will unleash a sledgehammer blow to free speech and deny citizens their God-given right to criticise the Government of the day and demand accountability in public office. The sedition clause criminalises statements or words “either spoken or written, a text, video, image, sign, visible representation, or other thing, that brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in Guyana.” This looks very strange…
Read MoreWhy the silence of the ABC countries on the Cybercrimes bill?
Dear Editor, With each passing day, APNU/AFC’s arrogance and contempt for the people of this country become more apparent. The latest assault on our dignity and fundamental rights by these neo-colonial political elites is their Cybercrime Bill and its obnoxious “law of sedition” clause. The law of sedition clause states that “a person can commit an offence of sedition if the person, whether in or out of Guyana, intentionally publishes, transmits or circulates by use of a computer system, a statement or words, either spoken or written, a text, video,…
Read MoreHandcuffing of Singh, Brassington an act of unspeakable cowardice by APNU/AFC
The sight of Brassington and Singh in handcuffs on callous and unwarranted charges has left me with a hollow and empty feeling. Vendetta and persecution reign supreme in our land of Guyana. What good does this mean-spirited and vindictive act do? Does it garner votes or lose votes? Does it appease the racists among us? What now? Will we see Carl Greenidge in handcuffs? This is a trampling of justice. The handcuffing of Singh and Brassington is an act of unspeakable cowardice by this APNU/AFC Administration. Sincerely, Nigel Hinds
Read MoreBritish, American diplomats have been very silent on Cyber Crimes Bill
Dear Editor, Please allow me to share my thoughts while I am still free to do so! There is no reason for me to outline objections to the monstrous Cyber Crimes Bill of 2106 as presented for passage by the current Administration of Guyana; I think any intelligent person knows that it is intended to suppress any criticism of the Government and its actions as statements in any form that cause “disaffection” will not be allowed. This presumes an ‘affection’ existed which in itself must be legally problematic. We, the…
Read MoreThe end of the WPA?
Dear Editor, I believe the greatest disappointment for Guyana was the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), joining forces with the People’s National Congress (PNC) in a coalition. I used the term “was” in describing the WPA because that entity is no more, they are a spent force, one which has lost its relevance and importance to society, the greatest casualty to hit national headlines. Can anyone tell me what importance this political association holds in society? The answer is none, because this ragtag grouping is now groping in the wilderness trying…
Read MoreAfter three years in Government, the Coalition’s performance is getting worse
Dear Editor, Guyana’s economy continues its downward descent with no solutions in sight. More so, even getting the economic forecasts approximately correct continues to be an arduous task for the Finance Ministry headed by Mr Jordan – who, it seems, is just an expert juggler trying to mask the economic decline. In March 2017, Mr Jordan seemed to have had an epiphany when he declared at a press conference, “Very little manufacturing activity takes place in Guyana…the last number I looked at manufacturing, without sugar and rice milling, contribute a…
Read MoreWPA Overseas Chapter believes no legislation should deprive citizens of their constitutional rights
Dear Editor, The working Peoples Alliance Overseas Associate adds its voice to those organisations and individuals who have spoken out in opposition to the draconian and archaic Article 18 of the Cybercrimes Bill, 2016. We accept that with new modes of communication that were not anticipated by laws presently enacted, many countries have gone beyond common law to enact legislation to deal with various forms of Cyber abuse, but this Article 18 seems geared for repression under the guise of combating sedition. We in Guyana have had our bad experiences…
Read MoreWorst examples of political persecution seen in Guyana for decades
Dear Editor, The recent charges laid against former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and former NICIL CEO Winston Brassington are the worst examples of political persecution seen in Guyana for decades, and reek of desperation on the part of the military dictatorship Government anxious to protect its stranglehold on power in the run-up to the 2020 national elections. Several prominent stakeholders in society, including the leadership of the Private Sector and other civil society organisations, have already expressed outrage at the obviously politically motivated charges laid against Singh and Brassington.…
Read MoreThe crude methods the PNC used to rig elections in the past may not be possible now
Dear Editor, Last year an email was sent from Basil Williams, Chairman of the PNC, to Amna Ally, Joseph Harmon, Winston Felix and Raphael Trotman. In that email, he reminded them of some decisions that were taken by the PNC’s Elections Committee in preparing for the next elections. In it he spoke about their throwing on some mega parties to attract young people. A lot of money will be spent to bring artistes from the Caribbean and further afield. He is, no doubt, working on the assumption that by doing…
Read More