-will be a main issue on Caricom agenda
The treatment of Guyanese immigrants in other countries continues to be of great concern to President Bharrat Jagdeo and he is urging that they be treated with “respect” and “dignity” wherever they go.
The President said that this is one of the main issues that he would be plugging at the upcoming Caricom Heads of Government Meeting which will be held in Guyana from July 2.
Jagdeo was at the time speaking at a press conference held yesterday at the Office of the President.
When asked specifically about the treatment of Guyanese immigrants in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, President Jagdeo said that “one thing I will insist on is that our people be treated with respect wherever they go”. He said that if these persons “break another country’s law, he cannot do anything about that” but added that “even if this happens, they must be treated with dignity and not in a demeaning fashion”, even as they face legal action or action by law enforcement authorities.
Jagdeo also said that persons in Guyana had an important role to play because whatever they say or do here tended to feed back into other societies. He said that persons from other countries would read the newspapers and would focus only on the negative issues such as crime, even in the cases when crime rates in their countries are higher than that of Guyana. He said that situations like these created a kind of “xenophobia” against Guyanese.
President Jagdeo also criticized recent statements made by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, during which he outlined his willingness to help the region. While emphasizing that he did not wish to make disparaging remarks about his fellow Caricom leaders, Jagdeo opined that Manning’s statements sounded “a bit condescending”.
The Head of State said that while Trinidad and Tobago was a rich country, especially because it possessed oil and gas, these two industries could decline, especially as a result of climate change and the likely spinoffs that this would have.
Nevertheless, he hoped that the entire immigration issue will be thoroughly discussed at the upcoming meeting where he expects several perspectives will be brought to the table.
He expressed his hope that the issue will be dealt with sensibly where all parties are taken into consideration.
According to him, in these discussions the obligations as outlined in the Treaty of Chaguaramas will have to be addressed. He also pointed out that apart from the Treaty, there are standard protocols which outline how immigrants are treated.
While each country has its own sovereign rights, he opined that if they voluntarily subscribed to a multi-lateral agreement, some of these rights would have been ceded to this agreement.
He said that this had to be respected.
Additionally, President Jagdeo said that attention needed to be paid towards the strengthening of the regulatory and supervisory framework of the financial sector in the region.
He stated that this was needed to prevent and minimise the risk of future financial sector problems. He said that there needed to be a Caribbean-wide position which may even require changes in the legislative framework. He added there are some areas which are new to regulators which need to be discussed.
He declared that he was disappointed that months have elapsed, but that the group put together to look at this issue has not come up with a clear and definitive pathway for others to follow. Consequently, Jagdeo opined that the leaders of the region will have to show this pathway because of the urgency of the situation.
Jagdeo need to stop blowing useless hot air. I noticed Trinidad and Antigua are gearing up now.
Even India is gearing up now, lol. SN another Guyanese online newspaper is reporting “Indian Hospital Detains 12 Guyanese.” The entire story can be found online on The Times of India. Guyanese are misbehaving and burning bridges all over the world. lol. I mentioned this story because SN seems to be having difficulty coming up with stories not pertaining to Barbados.
bajegirl: Why didn’t you give the full story? First they are children and they are not being asked to leave. They are being held hostage for the non-payment of a hospital bill. Our former first lady will take care of this.
bagegal, this is what the Times of India says today: “Ten children from Guyana, who were not being allowed to leave a hospital in Chennai for non-settlement of bills for their heart surgeries,
have now been allowed to return home after an NGO, which sponsored them, and the hospital reached an agreement on Saturday.
The Guyana-based NGO, Kids First Fund, run by Varshnie Singh, former first lady of the Carribean Republic, had agreed to settle the bills within six months for surgeries performed at Frontier Lifeline Hospital, sources in the hospital said.”
Mr.President , this blog is directed to you and even if you don’t read the Stabroek News online , Norman Faria will share the contents with you .
1. You are a failure as a political leader and as a result of your ineptitude , Guyaneses’ are fleeing their homeland .
2. Many Guyaneses’ have taken their criminal behaviour to other countries and Barbados is one of those countries . Some of them have been charged and found guilty for trafficking illegal drugs also the importation ; others for murder – guyanese are murdering guyanese in Barbados !!
3. You are using this situation with the illegal Guyanese immigrants as a “red-herring” to divert attention from the crime that is destroying Guyana . How many Guyanese died as a result of domestic violence in the past 12 months ? how many traffickers of illegal drugs were caught with illegal drugs at the Cheddi Jagan Airport in the last 12 months ?? How many guyanese were murdered in Guyana in the past 12 months ?? How many drugs-lords were arrested and charged in other countries in the past 12 months ??
4. When will Barbados be paid the $20 million plus interest , which Guyana owes us via the now defunct Multilateral Clearing Facility ??
5. We in Barbados treat Guyanese better here than they are treated in Guyana and that is the main reason why they don’t want to leave here.
6. President Jagdeo , you are not a better political leader than Prime Minister David Thompson and that is why Barbados is superior to Guyana , political and socio-economically . The government and people of Barbados are earning foreign exchange and Guyanese living here , many of whom are illegal immigrants , are sending it to Guyana , illegally – yes , some Guyanese here are paying $3 barbados for $1 US . A guyanese man who was living in Silver Hill had an illegal method of sending money to Guyana until he was arrest. I hear there are thers doing the same trade . Mr. President , We are a friendly and hospitable people but we will not accept the lies that are being told about us by anti-social lumpen elements because there are Guyaneses’ residing here in Barbados , many of whom are living better than Bajans – some have been awarded Barbados National Honours and for many years , the DPP of Barbados Mr.Charles Leacock , is a Guyanese ; a man who is well-respected by all in this country .
When we start to treat Guyanese with respect in Guyana, we will then have the moral authority to demand that others do the same, Mr. President.
Ex GDF, how did this dude become President in the first place??? If I were him, Bannas I would keep my mouth shut ..
Ex GDF officer your statement should read:- When Men and Wombman begin to RASPECT each other GLOBALLY, we will then have the moral authority to demand that others do the same, Mr. pRESIDENT.
This is a global problem. The cops and soldiers in JA shoot down many Jamaican citizens on a DAILY BASIS LIKE DOGS.
As Jamaica, so will Guyana and ALL Caricom states remain violent until a ras-o=lut-ion bubbles OVA.
Guyana has the resources and need to do a MASSIVE CLAMPDOWN IN RETURN. This will rid Guyana of many vagrants. Stay safe for bears are watching.
“Keep it “LIT
dat is d Pinnacle fyahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhkey
You and your administration should start first and others
will follow Mr President. Guyanese at home, in Guyana
need nuff respect from your PPP Government. It was alledged
that Roger khan-linked kiled 200 people, whyl not show the Guyanese
people some respect by having an investigation ?, it was said
that the joint service killed 8 miners, why not have an
investigation to show us some respect ?.
Hold yuh breath Mr, West Bank, ah Gt yuh chat bout??? Please remember us hardworking Gt citizens have no rights.Why should the people expect the government to show some raspect to the GT Massive???
Meh brother the Atlantic and d Demerara riva overflowing with tears and d Mazaruni and Potaro rivers cry out angrily for justice.
Point is THINGS WILL CHANGE IN GT.
Warning to the corrupt entity that dem seek citizenship elsewhere for “We will send you all to the HAGUE” after we tek we JUSTICE.
“Keep it “LIT”
dat is d Pinnacle fyahhhhhhhhhhhhkey
Criticism of an inept government is a legitimate tool in every democratic country. During the P.N.C. era the P.P.P. and its phantom organizations plastered Europe and North America with many criticisms of the then government. We also had the massive migration of P.P.P. supporters to Canada claiming refugee status which then led to visa requirements for travel to Canada.
Jagdeo must move the economy of Guyana in a positive direction and this will serve as the magnet for their return. A return to economic glory days will certainly reduce crime and our people will once more be able to hod their heads high when they visit these pieces of rock in the Caribbean sea.
Jagdeo you have failed the people of Guyana and the criticisms will continue because of your incompetence. During the P.N.C. days Africans were in the forefront giving their lives for change. We got change but it was not change for the better. Now Indo-Guyanese it’s time for you to send a message to the P.P.P. that your support is not limitless. Guyanese it’s time to hit the streets to protest the conditions in our country. Get moving.
as the p n c fail the people thrice more as the p p p
dshaw: It’s about time your comments be more intelligible. Stop blaming the P.N.C. these have been in power for 17 years. After 6 months Obama can no longer blame George Bush for the troubles in the U.S.A.
Borapork signing this morning in shower: “I oh so happy, oh halalejuah ! I so happy this morning ! Another opportunity to Blame the government for what’s going on in Barbados ! People Fleeing, Fleeing FFLEEING. Blame the government. Oh Lord, I so happy, happy.And five crime stories today ! Gravy on the food ! Oh halleauljah…….”
They will not protest against the PPP they love every moment of it, the INDIANS do not care what the PPP do or treat them, so long as the PNC does not get back into power.
Mr. president, guyanese are not even treated with respect at home, the things that the police and other law enforcement bodies do to guyanese is that respect, the recent bill that was passed for your retirement benefit where it will allow you to live as a king for the rest of your life is that respect for guyanese, when guyanese are respected at home first, others abroad will follow.
Everybody deserve a retirement benefit.
Everyone also deserves freedom, and everyone deserves a stable powersupply after 17 years and security after 17 years what else do you think we deserve marvin?
How come only the PPP elite deserves perks?
You dont think the people of this country have suffered enough? shouldn’t we make them a priority for a change vs. the politicians?
Please be quiet Jagdeo. You should have been speaking up eons ago, encourage the citizens to return home by opening up sectors that would create jobs and show some sensitivity to their plight. You have done nothing so far and no one is listening to you. You have single handledly propelled people to leave by the practices you encourage. Your outrage is lame and not worth squat.
He forgets to mention that certain Guyanese at home are treated with disrespect. In Guyana the Police/ Gdf are used in the same way to raid citizens homes who may disagree with his govt and his policies. Marginalisation and discrimination and use of the state agencies to crush any kind of critizism of his govt… that is disrespecctful….. . Murders of some 200 plus Guyanese are left uninvestigated…that is disrespectful…… violence toward’s one’s spouse is disrespectful.
for the past several years, all the president is doing is talk talk talk talk bout how guyanese must be treated in other countries. mr. president now is not the time to talk, the bajans r not talking any more, they r acting. they r rounding guyanese like sheep, cow, goat how ever u want to call it.
the bajans stop talking and they r acting now and u the president still talking.
NOW IS TIME FOR ACTION. BOYCOTT CARICOM UNTIL THEY START TREATING GUYANESE WITH RESPECT (THE GUYANESE THAT DO NOT BREAK THE LAWS OF THE COUNTRIES THAT THEY R IN)
Guyanese Immigrants must also carry themselves with dignity and as a result create respect for themselves. Ever so often, I am appalled about the high incidence of disgraceful behaviour displayed by our nationals when ” liming” and elsewhere.
Part of the problem is we do not value how great we are as a nation in terms of our natural resources and vast land mass and as a people – we are a Great Country and we should repeatedly proudly state this anywhere everywhere. Politicians and Citizens have developed a n mentality see themselves as not being good enough for the world and as a result we go begging for the very things we can develop and have right in Guyana.
This man is sitting in Guyana and lecturing foreign governments about treating Guyanese with respect. While this all sounds good Jagdeo should start the process odf treating guyanese with respect at home. Lots of Guyanese don’t feel that they belong in Guyana and are usually ashamed to say they are from there. Most of us have run into a guyanese who tell us that they are from the Caribbean or south america before you can get them to say that they are guyanese.
2 days ago I urged the government to send a chartered flight to get its citizens from the unwelcoming Caribbean countries. I said then that that would be the first signal to the world that guyana can again be there for its citizens when they are in need wherever they are around the world. In the meantime the president continues to show he is all talk and no action even as the early morning “cattle herding” continues. This proves my point that the lack of respect is not towards the citizens but is directed at the impotent Guyana government.
Among the reasons why the republicans lost the elections here in the usa is the perceived decline in the respect for American overseas. Proud people like to know that their government is respected internationally and expect nothing less. Even with his faults Burnham understood nationalism. Figures like Ahmadinejad and Kim Jong IL understand this in their own crazy way. I hope the Guyana government can understand it too in a productive way as Guyanese on these blogs defend their countrymen against some of the postings here by those cousin marrying people from that piece of limestone rock in the ocean who speak as though their words are emanating from their noses.
Guyanese big up wherever you’re at! I’ll defend yah because your government wouldn’t.
HAMMER HAMMER, NAIL NAIL FOR THE FIRST PARAGRAPH.
I hear you on that one. That why as a Guyanese I hold my head up high. I respect everyone who respect me, be you old or young. But at the same time, I refuse to take crap from anyone. One day Guyana will raise again and we will welcome everyone, with open arms. Because we are a people of love and not hate. Plus most of them that will be coming to Guyana, will have Guyanese blood in them.