Dear Editor,

President Jagdeo was quoted in SN as saying “I will attend the meeting [Caricom heads in Trindad, May 24] even only for that reason… to ensure that the rights of Guyanese are protected. I have to go, it’s my people’s interest so I have to be there.” (‘Jagdeo slams Barbados on Guyanese treatment,’ May 23)

I would like to remind President Jagdeo he does not have to go all the way to a heads of government meeting in Trinidad to protect the rights of Guyanese, when he can start at home. If the President does not respect Guyanese rights at home he cannot go abroad to protect them. Caricom heads of government know this and will not be impressed with the President’s new role as a rights’ protector.

People’s rights should not be trampled on regardless of where they are in the world. However, with rights there comes a corresponding responsibility to obey the law. If Guyanese are living in Barbados illegally, Barbados has to enforce their law. I do not understand the outrage at Barbados for wanting to do the right thing.

It is my fervent hope that Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson informs President Jagdeo that he should go home and put his own house in order, because if he were protecting the rights of Guyanese at home they would not have to reside illegally in Barbados.

Yours faithfully,
Donald Isaacs