The International Center for Democracy (ICD) in a statement on Thursday said that the rulings by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), on Tuesday, paves the way for the political parties in Guyana to work together and find common ground on the way forward. It urged that all stakeholders should therefore seize the opportunity by demonstrating political maturity and responsible behavior in finding solutions to the problems ahead.
“Like other stakeholders, the ICD urges the leaders in Guyana to seize the opportunity provided by the CCJ in this interim period to demonstrate responsible leadership. Now that the validity of the No-Confidence Motion has been accepted by all, since everyone insists they will honor the CCJ rulings, the Constitution must be supreme, as it would in any democracy worth its salt”, the ICD said.
Following is the full statement by the ICD
The much-anticipated rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on important Constitutional matters are now etched into the annals of the Court’s records. The CCJ answered all questions relating to the Constitution in a clear, unambiguous and unequivocal manner, leaving nothing for anyone to quibble about. From their rulings, the CCJ has stated clearly the appointment of the GECOM Chair is one derived out of a consensual process and one that rejects arbitrariness. On the question of what constitutes a majority, the CCJ stuck to the traditional, centuries-old meaning and declared that 33 is the majority of 65. On the question of the validity of the No-Confidence Motion that was passed in Parliament on December 21st, 2018, the CCJ declared it was validly passed. The CCJ agreed all 65 votes on that day were eligible votes. The CCJ agreed with litigants who questioned the right of dual citizens to be Members of Parliament, declaring that dual citizens are not eligible, but that those objections should have been registered within 28 days of the commencement of the Parliament.
The International Center for Democracy commends the CCJ for sticking to the letter and spirit of the Constitution of Guyana, rejecting the request from some of the litigants to re-write the Constitution, by inserting words that do not appear in the relevant articles that were questioned. In so doing, the CCJ took the approach of the Chief Justice and rejected the approach of the two Appeals Court Judges in Guyana. Having brought clarity and placed everyone on the same platform for a way forward, the CCJ has now took the position that the consequential orders for the way forward must be decided on through mature dialogue between the President and the Leader of the Opposition, with consultations with other stakeholders. We commend the CCJ for giving the leaders in Guyana a chance to demonstrate political maturity and responsible behavior in working out the way forward.
Like other stakeholders, the ICD urges the leaders in Guyana to seize the opportunity provided by the CCJ in this interim period to demonstrate responsible leadership. Now that the validity of the No-Confidence Motion has been accepted by all, since everyone insists they will honor the CCJ rulings, the Constitution must be supreme, as it would in any democracy worth its salt. The Constitution required a resignation of the Cabinet, a dissolution of parliament and an election within 90 days after the passage of the NCM. That date expired since March 21st, 2019. The reasonable approach now is for all parties to work for elections within 90 days from now. In effect, the CCJ is granting a new start.
While we are cautiously optimistic the political leaders will resolve the timeline based on the CCJ rulings, we are encouraged further by the CCJ’s indication they will meet again on June 24th to consider consequential orders, should the political leaders in Guyana fail to reach consensus on a way forward. The democratic processes must be allowed to work and the CCJ has become an adjudicator and mediator to ensure democracy blossoms in Guyana. We are hopeful that the combination of legal authority exercised by the CCJ and mature political dialogue with a commitment to uphold the constitution will ensure Guyana faithfully stays on the democratic course.
