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, 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”. The penalty for persons charged under this law ranges from 4 months to a life sentence.
This is nothing short of a fascist piece of legislation. It is a clear attempt by the Granger Administration to effectively shut down all criticism of the regime and its policies. It begs the question: What exactly do they have in store for this country that would require them to have such a draconian piece of legislation in place to control us when we oppose them?
Granger had, from day one, demonstrated a tendency towards zero tolerance for criticism and opposition. However, it has intensified during APNU/AFC’s time in office. Recently, we witnessed the shocking dismissal of columnists Lincoln Lewis and David Hinds from the Chronicle, and now this “law of sedition” clause takes us to a whole new level by equating any expression of ideas, including by email or even a conversation, with exciting or attempting to excite ‘disaffection towards the Government’ for the purpose of sedition. According to this piece of legislation, this letter could be seen as sedition.
It is interesting that the representatives of the ABC countries, who never miss an opportunity to bleat on about their love for freedom of speech — despite the fact that in reality they oppose it at every turn in both their respective countries and internationally — are silent on this bill.
Beware of what our Government and their Imperial Masters have in store for Guyana. The signs are ominous. This legislation represents a very worrying and repressive trend. History has taught us that fascism is something that creeps up on you, until one day you wake up and it is too late.
Sincerely,
Gerald A. Perreira