The intention behind the Government’s negligence

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan remained almost invisible and quiet since the coalition Government took Office. So quiet that one is led to wonder if he’s being deliberately silenced. His few attempts to address the drastic soar in crime observed over the past three months, appear to be a source of mockery and anger for the public, probably causing him to return to hide in his cocoon away from public criticism.

Could it be that the Security Minister is being dictated a code of conduct and a restricted agenda by others in Government, or is he simply incapable of handling the savagery which currently defines the actions of criminals?

While no one seems to be safe from the crime spree, not even 77 year old grandmothers or immigrants, the measures initiated by the Public Security Minister are a firsthand reflection of his inaptitude in understanding the challenges of and producing the solutions to the issue and nature of crimes in Guyana. It also questions the intention of the PNC-led Government, considering its apparent indifference to the escalation of crime.

Although female officers on horseback parading in Bel Air Park might be an interesting attraction, it most certainly doesn’t impact the reduction of crime. Nor is trying to convince Guyana that all Guyanese will be safe if they stop drinking at 2 am. Here Minister Ramjattan actually incurs the risk of developing underground activities to compensate for the reduction of business income, (probably boosting the “bush rum” industry!), subsequently increasing vulnerability of Guyanese.

Now, Minister Ramjattan has decided to take up the fight against suicide, which, although it is a major socioeconomic issue in our society, doesn’t represent an immediate threat to random Guyanese going about their daily businesses. This is an initiative which could be prioritized simultaneously with policies aimed at reducing crime. Yet, it doesn’t seem to retain the Minister’s attention as one needing immediate action, even though the crimes committed are sometimes tinged with hues of Guyana’s ethnic divide.

While the majority of victims remain Guyanese, immigrants, particularly from the Brazilian and Chinese communities, who contribute heavily to what was a vibrant South American economy up to a few months ago, are also targeted. The brutal massacre of a Chinese national who owned a restaurant on Mandela Avenue is proof that no one is exempt from being targeted. The Government’s laid-back attitude could be interpreted by both the criminals and the wider society as a calculated negligence regarding the exposure of hard working Guyanese, including those of the business community, to crime.

Also, the discriminatory behaviour of public authorities regardless of the country’s cultural diversity or constant flux of foreigners, is overtly visible. For instance, there’s the case of a Canadian woman being assaulted by guards at a popular Regent Road mall. Even more recent is the case of eight Indian nationals who were left on the Tarmac of the CJIA after an Insel Air aircraft refused to transport the men who were initially refused permission to stay in Guyana for different reasons. They were treated no better than criminals, as they were left on the CJIA tarmac until it was decided what the next step would be in dealing with their case.

However, Guyanese who are known to have migrated in countries across the world also face strict, sometimes discriminatory immigration policies, especially in the U.S. In this regard, the Government, and in particular Citizenship Minister Felix, should promote nondiscriminatory policies, especially for immigrants who come to Guyana to invest, and must also ensure that Guyana is perceived as a non-hostile country on the international scene. After all, what message are we sending to our neighbours and the world if our own Government, overseeing a culturally diverse country, cannot treat immigrants with respect?

But what is the point of even investing in a decent immigration policies when the Public Security Ministry is failing at its principal mandate, that of creating a friendly, hospitable and secure society? For although this country needs the human and financial capital offered by immigrants, our Government is failing to create the environment in which they could safely thrive. The negative consequences will befall both Guyanese and investors.