Press Release 17/07/2009
GTUC condemns the human rights violations of its General Secretary on Leave, Lincoln Lewis, its acting General Secretary Norris Witter and Journalist Mark Benschop. GTUC holds the Guyana Police Force, Commissioner Henry Green, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, Head of the Joint Services and President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, accountable to the people of this land, for this abuse of power and violation of human rights and dignity which these very public figures, engaged in peaceful protest, were made to endure at the hands of a misguided Police Force.
The words of Commissioner of Police Henry Green that guns can “accidently “ be fired during protests are seen as a clear threat to the lives of Lewis , Witter and Benschop. This is intimidation and lays the foundation for defence of the Guyana Police after shooting , maiming or committing extra judicial murder against these three respected activists. GTUC warns that should any harm befall these labour leaders and journalist, this government will be held personally accountable as we hold them responsible right now, for their safety .
GTUC calls on President Jagdeo to desist forthwith the transgressions and bullyism defining his governance and which are fast becoming the staple of Guyanese existence. We call on all law abiding citizens of Guyana to condemn this atrocity and demand that the Jagdeo regime uphold the dignity and respect for, Lewis Benschop and Witter in the same fashion that he and his government seek Caricom to respect the dignity and rights of illegal and undocumented workers who break the immigration laws of Barbados and other Caribbean lands.
GTUC sees the abuse of Lewis , Witter and Benschop in the context of President Jagdeo and the PPP entrenching dictatorship. They are seeking to outlaw protest and limit resistance.
It is seen in the parliamentary bill to limit workers right to protest. It is seen in the uncalled for arrest of Trade Union Leaders Lincoln Lewis, Norris Witter along with journalist Mark Benschop. GTUC also notes that accompanying the three were former Chief Magistrate, Juliet Holder Allen and a Canadian Immigration Consultant, Baldeo Persaud.
It is seen in the activities of the phantom squad which is the sort of tactics Hitler used with the feared Gestapo, where dissenters and other ethnic groups were targeted for annihilation.
It is seen in the destruction of public property and records under investigation, as with the burning of the Ministries of Finance, Labour and Housing, MMA, Ministry of Works and now the Ministry of Health, which Office and its Minister are currently under the microscope for gross financial irregularities and links to Roger Khan.
It is seen in the trend of destruction of evidence: records are destroyed when public buildings are burnt down. So naturally there can be no further investigation or no conclusive findings when the evidence is gone. GTUC calls for an immediate and independent forensic investigation into the recent destruction of the Ministry of Health building and for those responsible to be held accountable . We remind citizens that this is a tax payers loss and that each of us have a responsibility to hold this government accountable for any negligence or criminal act associated with this loss.
Evidence is also destroyed when alleged wanted men and criminals are killed before being placed before the courts. Law and order does not win, Guyana does not win when people are murdered extra-judicially. When this happens, those who need to cover up crimes benefit, as dead men tell no tales. The dictators who seek to drive fear and limit resistance win. They also win when they use these circumstances to create racial nexus and animosity, sacrificing getting to the root of crime, peace and national unity for political expediency.
The state of the Brickdam lock ups have been brought to the fore of this nation before and whereas the Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee declared that it was not intended to be a five star hotel, GTUC reminds him that it is supposed to be temporary housing for human beings with constitutional rights. GTUC reminds Minister Rohee and President Jagdeo that these citizens of Guyana need no less treatment than their counterparts in Barbados. This is a matter that the GTUC will be following up more intensely locally and internationally.
The time has come for Civic society and social partners to seriously evaluate the seventeen years of PPP rule. This is more than an adequate marking period to determine the effectiveness of the management of the nation’s resources. What we are seeing before us is score card which shows failure, particularly from 1997 to present and moreso under President Jagdeo.
Under the eyes of Caricom and despite the signing of the Herdmanston Accord, Guyana has become a failing state characterized by many as an immoral , lawless government that has demonstrated it is prepared to have relationships with the criminal underworld, notably Roger Khan , Axel Williams and the Bacchus brothers; It is characterized by President Jagdeo’s transgression of the constitution ; undermining the separation of legislature, Judiciary and Executive powers of the State -a fundamental tenet of democracy. Further it is seen in the abuse of authority, disrespect for the law of the land , the Guyana Police Force and other security forces; the Presidential Office and violation of the rights of citizens even as corruption within its ranks is ignored, covered up even destroyed , and government and PPP officials , enrich themselves with finances, gouged from and redirected away from the government treasury as evidenced in the recent Auditor General’s report. The World Bank’s report showing that 43% of the Guyana Gross Domestic Product is from foreign remittances shows failure and the lack of an effective economic plan and development of the country’s capabilities.
The only ones who are seemingly able to enjoy betterment under this regime are the anointed and well connected criminals such as Roger Khan.
Human rights are being trampled upon and fear is being instilled into the minds of the people to create a state of quietness and compliance that is unreal. Whereas supporters of the government seem prepared to settle for the crumbs off the PPP table it is the role of the GTUC, labour and all people to demand of this government a living wage, workers and human rights, equality, justice, the right to association, freedom of expression and dissent. The people of Guyana are fast being left behind. Even PPP supporters would rather fight and breach another country’s laws than remain to develop Guyana. The writing is on the wall.
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