“‘The knock on the door at night’ is not within our regional culture; still less are intimations of ‘ethnic cleansing’”
Sir Shridath Ramphal
Senior regional integrationist, Sir Shridath Ramphal says that it is sad that the Caribbean is experiencing a period when both policies and practices are deepening divisions and he cautioned that “we forget our oneness at our peril.”
In an apparent reference to the targeting of illegal CARICOM nationals in Barbados, some of whom have been rounded up in early morning raids, the Guyanese-born former Commonwealth secretary general said, “It is always a sadness when, however propelled, our societies are caught in a downward spiral of separateness with fellow West Indians cast as ‘outsiders’”.
Sir Shridath, in an address at the inauguration of the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers in Port-of-Spain on Thursday, referred to these times in the words of Barbadian researcher Annalee Davis who has described them as becoming “locked into nationalist crevices. . . and exclusivist cultural legitimacy”.
“We are at such a time, and both policies and practices are deepening Caribbean divides,” Sir Shridath asserted.
He maintained that ‘The knock on the door at night’ is not within our regional culture; still less are intimations of ‘ethnic cleansing’”.
Moreover, Sir Shridath stated, “No Caribbean leader would countenance such departures from our norms and values; but all must not only believe, but also act as if they believe, that we forget our oneness at our peril; whether the ‘otherness’ that displaces it is an accidental place of regional birth, or otherness of any kind.”
And explaining his use of the term ‘accidental’, he observed that “in the Caribbean the age-old process of trans-migration has made us all family.”
Regional togetherness
He also noted that the great Barbadian regionalist and former prime minister, Errol Barrow, had reminded twenty-three years ago that: “If we have sometimes failed to comprehend the essence of the regional integration movement, the truth is that thousands of ordinary Caribbean people do in fact live that reality every day. . . . we are a family . . . and this fact of regional togetherness is lived every day by ordinary West Indian men and women in their comings and goings.”
Sir Shridath agreed that indeed it was and for a very long time and recalled that his great-great grandfather on his mother’s side had come to Guyana from Barbados looking for land and settlement, and found them . . . “and so it has been up and down the chain of island societies that free movement fused into one: freedom curbed ironically with the arrival of our separate ‘national’ freedoms.”
However, he noted, the roots of those family trees are now spread out in the sub-soil of the Caribbean and while social antipathy and divisiveness deny them, DNA’s defy even constitutions.
Citing a warning that “CARICOM is at risk”, he agreed that it is so and added that few are blameless.
Our oneness
“The basic premise of our regional lives is that West Indians are one people; and like all commingled people are of many varieties.
In our case, the varieties have enriched the composite oneness, yielding now a characteristic mosaic identity of which we all tend to be proud and often boast,” the senior regional integrationist observed.
He stated further that, “Political leaders, in particular, have to be less casual about CARICOM, less minimalist in their ambition for it, less negative in their vision of it. Its foundations have been built on our oneness; not on the geography of a dividing sea.”
According to Sir Shridath, the “Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas is not just embellished parchment; it is the logic of that oneness in a world which threatens our separate survival. And the revised treaty is not all; there are international conventions to which all CARICOM member states are parties that are relevant to our rights and obligations to each other as human beings, much less family.”
He also contended that the Caribbean Community is now a regional mansion within a global home. “We have to make it more secure and habitable,” he urged, “through reaching goals like the CSME (or even the CSM), and reaching them together.”
Meanwhile, Sir Shridath noted that next month is the 20th Anniversary of the Grand Anse Resolution on Preparing the Peoples of the West Indies for the Twenty-first Century, the Resolution that established the West Indian Commission. He observed that nearing the end of the new century’s first decade, “we are still ‘preparing’.”
In that light, Sir Shridath said no wonder ‘CARICOM is at risk’ since “in the era of globalization, we retrogress if we simply mark time while the world moves ahead.”
Referring to the upcoming meeting of CARICOM’s political directorate in Georgetown next week at their XXXth Summit, Sir Shridath called on the leaders to “demonstrate credibly that they still believe in Caribbean integration, that they care about securing it against risk, and that they are serious in their commitment to the objectives of the Treaty of Chaguaramas.”
Sir Shridath also cautioned that, “The siren song of separatism lures us to self-destruction, as it once did with the federal nation we were about to be 47 years ago,” adding that the West Indies Federation did not founder on technical rocks but foundered on political ones.
He pointed out that, “We have now re-built painstakingly over nearly half a century and are again ‘about to be’, this time an economic community. And again the siren sings seductive songs of separatism.”
“In our collective self-interest, resistance of that enticement has become a major challenge of our time; and it is from our political directorates that the will to resist must mainly come,” Sir Shridath concluded.
Meanwhile, several Caribbean media reports have referred to the comments made by St. Lucian Prime Minister Stephenson King who was quoted as saying that “he wants his fellow Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders to take urgent action to facilitate the free movement of people throughout the region.”
In the meantime, St. Vincent Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves had blasted Barbadian authorities for the treatment that some of his nationals had received in Bridgetown, adding that seemingly across CARICOM, some nationalities — including those from his country, Guyana and Jamaica — have been targeted unfairly.
According to his St Lucian counterpart, Gonsalves had a basis for observing that such actions go against the spirit of CARICOM’s regional integration process.
And in a recent interview with this newspaper, University of Guyana Professor Clive Thomas said he felt that the David Thompson administration’s targeting of CARICOM nationals in its crackdown on illegal immigrants was an act of profiling. He said he felt the action needed to be met with the strongest protest.
Professor Thomas voiced his disapproval particularly over reports that the homes of illegal migrants are being raided, calling it “degrading and discriminatory.” He said he also felt that it violates the spirit of the CSME [CARICOM Single Market and Economy].
“CARICOM has worked to promote an agreement aimed at creating a single economic space and so this is very offensive to CARICOM. We have a responsibility to speak out. We cannot allow the Barbados government to get away with this. We cannot condone such action, it is degrading, dehumanising, indiscriminate and inhumane,” he insisted.
Thomas also questioned why it was that only CARICOM nationals were being targeted when nationals from other countries also overstayed their welcome in Barbados. “This is profiling and this is very offensive,” he argued.
Since the unveiling of the new Barbadian policy on undocumented CARICOM citizens which was styled as an “amnesty”, there have been frequent reports that Barbadian immigration workers and security forces have been rounding up illegals in the most uncivilized manner and depositing them at the Grantley Adams Airport for immediate return to this country.
I bet SN will not print this because the segregation started with Ramphal, he is one of the head that caused Guyanese to suffer then SN which is anti truth encourages people that poor Bharrat is the blame, prove your worth SN
I will say it did not start with Ramphal although he played his part it started when Burnham split from the PPP and later formed the PNC and joined with the CIA and other forces to get rid of the PPP govt causing racial riots and later was installed as a govt to destroy guyana causing Guyanese including myself to flee our lovely homeland, now only to hope that the PPP/C is trying their best to build it back so that Guyanese can return back home and not become second class citizens in other peoples country .
well that was not the reason that Ramphal joined with the PNC.
He was choosing capitalism and not communism and what I am sure he thought was a better option than going with the russians and creating another little cuba.
After looking at the PPP and their communist / Dictatorial behaviour today you know what I think Ramphal, Teekah, Steve Narine, David Singh, Chowrittmoottoo, Chandisingh and several others made the right choice.
The PPP has done absolutely nothing the past 17 years to move our people forward those are the facts my man.
Burnhame and the PHENC and their dictatorial behavior was absolutely unacceptable but when you line them along side these today, Mr. Raja Khan crime fighter and all the scandals day after day……..34 million USD walking out of NIS into Duprey’s hands.
Boy I have to tell you these chaps are making forbes look like a kitten. There was no pradoville in Burnhames time was there?
It is either we are, or we not which one.
An excellent article which shows the crab mentality is alive and well in the Caribbean community. It rears its ugly head whenever the economy becomes sour and demagogues like Thompson use people as scapegoats to secure electoral victories. To engender hate is very simple especially when you are espousing it to intellectual pygmies. To engender compassion as Owen Arthur tried is difficult especially when the target can be identified as foreign. Is Thompson capable of leadership or only xenophobia?
Thompson is clearly telling to all, that he and barbados can do without CARICOM ,for him and them is CARIGONE.But remember that long before us our people roamed all over the region, and left seeds.
Should Prime Minister Thompson allow others to destroy Barbados , socio-economically ? Some Guyanese are praying for a tidal wave to come and wash away Barbados . I have known Sir Shridath (Sonny) Ramphal for many years , I first met him around 1969 when I was employed at the Paradise Beach Club , Where his very good friend , Errol Barrow had a cottage (home). Sir Shridath is a genuine Caribbean man and I would like him to visit Barbados on a fact-finding mission pertaining to these allegations of ill-treatment of the illegal Guyanese immigrants .
Borapork , David Thompson does not have to used people as scapegoats to win an election in Barbados because his victory was was resounding , 20 to 10 , a two-thirds majority and since the General Elections of January 2007 , a BLP MP is now sitting as an Independent . Borapork , the intellectual pygmies can be found in the PPP government and not in Barbados – and yes , David Thompson is good political Leader and he and the people of Barbados are NOT xenophobic . We are going to Manage our Immigration policy and for your information Borapork – Prime Minister David Thompson was born in England , both of his parents are Bajans .
“Where there is no vision , the people perish” .
Barbados should be isolated by other Caricom states and Guyanese of standing should spread the word that Barbados is a country that is hostile to tourists…THEN THEY CAN ENJOY THEIR SEA WATER AND SAND
Madan, why am I not surprise at your comment. I suspected this was the plan you, the govt and SN had all along. You think you could shame Barbados to keep the illegals, threaten them with isolation or you telling tourists to stay away from the island. If you do not get your way, you will help to cripple the Barbados economy. You make me want to vomit.
Sir Shridath talking about “ethnic cleansing” Norman Faria talking about profiling of Indians, Jagdeo talking about respecting rights and treating people with dignity, when all these people Barbados targeting are in the people country ILLEGALLY. Jagdeo forgets respect and dignity start at home and he is not giving any. You people help to give us a bad name and make us sound like bullies. Here’s the story SN, Madan, Shridath, Jadgeo and all: People CANNOT live illegally in another man country and NOT HAVE TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE LAWS.
You want play bully threaten US and Canada because everyday they kicking we out their countries for breaking their immigration laws or committing other crimes. Threaten dem for holding Roger Khan.
You people make me sick and ashame. Ghandi said none cooperation with evil is a sacred duty. In the name of the Mahatma I want to publicly say I am not supporting SN, Madan, Jagdeo and Faria.
SN I hope you let Madan and other know my view. I want it to be public that I Dindial DO NOT support the accusations of racial profiling, ethnic cleansing, isolation and tourism boycott, when in the first place Barbados only targeting people breaking the law. I do not care that most of them are my people. I am not in favour of ILLEGAL CARICOM integration.
Madan Jagdeo, sometimes a child will have a falling out with another child and then run around and tell other children not
to be the other child’s friend. Your comment reminds me of such a situation.
Dindial: The idea is that there should be no illigals in the caricom territories. There should be unity in the caribbean. In the good old days every island had nationals in Guyana and many did well for themselve in mining. If Guyanese now find it necessary to go to Barbados and Trinidad, the least they can do is return the favor.
Mr. Ramphal ! Why don’t you point your finger where the problem generated and is being nurtured. The rest of the Caribbean took notice and, they will do their best to prevent such social upheavals in their small countries. Yes, Mr. Ramphal, ‘ the tourist for the 2007 World Cup , will experience a different culture from the rest of the Caribbean when they come to Guyana.’ Where was your ‘words of wisdom ‘, then.
THE GUYENESE PLAYERS ON THE WI TEAM NUST REFUSE TO PLAY IN BARBADOS AND NO BAJAN PLAYERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PLAY ON GUYANA SOIL.
LET THE BAJANS LOOK AND SEE THE AMOUNT OF $US THEY WILL LOOSE AND CRY FOR IT.
SAY WHAT YOU ALL WANT BUT IF WAS MR.BURNHAM THE TUNE WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT.
IF WE CAN’T LIVE AS A PEOPLE THEN WE CAN’T PLAY AS A TEAM.
THE BAJANS SHOULD BE REMINDED OF THE RESULTS WHEN THEY PLAYED THE RESR OF THE WORLD
Here here sir Sridat thank you for having the guts to speak up and say what is clearly the truth.
This is not about illegal immigration at all it is purely ethnic and class cleansing.
Extracted: “In an apparent reference to the targeting of illegal CARICOM nationals in Barbados, some of whom have been rounded up in early morning raids, the Guyanese-born former Commonwealth secretary general said, “It is always a sadness when, however propelled, our societies are caught in a downward spiral of separateness with fellow West Indians cast as ‘outsiders’”.”
Comment: Funny how both Sir Shridath and Mr. Bourne, both Guyanese, are living in Barbados and not Guyana. You would think that with the kind of brains and experience these men have that they would be a greater asset to Guyana rather than living in Barbados and making comments about Bajans rounding up illegals! Barbados is 166 square miles; Guyana is 83,000 square miles. Barbados depends on a tourism sector for survival; Guyana has untapped resources for development. Barbados has a visionary for Prime Minister; Guyana has a voodoo economist for a President!
Andy not “voodo economist for a President” but a MARXIST trained economist my friend.Their philosophy is to strangle the free market at every turn.
Andy, You referenced “Guyanese Voodoo Economist President” LOL. Nah, you are wrong. If he were, the Guyanese economy would have little dolls with pins stuck in them to prevent the Guyanese population from suffering the pains of: marginalization, high unemployment, poor infrastructural development, migration (OH BARBADOS) et al. Further,the Barbadian Prime Minister would be calling and begging to speak to “Cotton Tree Maraj” Remember him? ISNM
Andy well said. Sir Shridath living in clean Barbados in a fancy neighbourhood in a fancy house, you think he wants to come to poor, dirty and crime ridden Guyana. No way. But he will stay in his comfort and accuse B’dos of ethnic cleansing. The audacity of these people. Guyana got ethnic cleansing but it seems Sir Shridath doesn’t know or care.
LOL you call that visionary. Typical
Guyanese have a tendency to voluntarily move to Barbados and spend their time lecturing Bajans about their faults. lol
Sonny ,, u help to have dis levelled on us ,, how ??? with ur collusion and an being part of the “illegal regal reign” dats how ,, an fuh all yuh intelligence i must say how totally shocked i am to hear u have anything period to say abt the bajan intelligence ,, or what is blatanly lacking !…..
Mr. Tannassee ! Why are you shocked ? We have reached a point in our lives that we can debate these individuals and break them down. They don’t have a lock on knowledge. By the way, I do appreciate your standard English. Props !
The CSME Regional heads of Government meeting is the biggest forum for wasting taxpaeyers money. It is like going to a rum shop with some friends eating and drinking and bull@#$%%^&* and achieving nutting at the end of the day. Everyone go home drunk.