Parties join forces for gov’t accountability
–to compile dossier on rights abuses
Recent revelations in a US court claiming links between members of the government and drug trafficker Shaheed Roger Khan have seen six political parties joining forces to sensitize international organizations on the matter and force greater accountability from the government.
The parties involved in this action are the Alliance for Change (AFC), Guyana Action Party (GAP), National Front Alliance (NFA), People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Unity Party and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA).
Robert Simels
At a press conference held yesterday at the Cara Lodge, the AFC was represented by its Leader Raphael Trotman, Party Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan and Executive Member Clayton Hall, GAP by Everall Franklin and the NFA by its Leader Keith Scott. Opposition Leader Robert Corbin represented the PNCR, while the WPA was represented by Executive Member Desmond Trotman and Co-Leader Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.
During the press conference, Trotman of the WPA said members of the political parties had met on Monday “to discuss the unfolding revelations in the Robert Simels trial in the federal court of New York, USA and the grave implications that such revelations may have for national security and good governance in Guyana.” At that meeting “it was agreed that a unified approach be activated to realize greater accountability, justice, res-pect for and observance of the rule of law and, generally, the establishment of good governance practices.”
Reading from a prepared statement, he said “the parties, have, accordingly agreed to compile a comprehensive dossier cataloguing the government’s human rights abuses, including extra-judicial killings, torture and complicity with known organised crime gangs and narco traffickers and the resulting corruption in high office.” He said “the dossier upon completion will be submitted to local, regional and international bodies, including the courts with the appropriate jurisdiction and released to the media and the public.”
Trotman also said that “arrangements are also being put in place for the mounting of a robust public education campaign to alert our citizens of the lawlessness of the PPP/C government, since that is considered the single major obstacle to national cohesion, the development, peace and security in Guyana.”
And according to the statement, the campaign will be always conducted “on the basis of consensus and in accordance with the laws and the Constitution of Guyana.”
Raphael Trotman
Khemraj Ramjattan
The statement also indicated the commitment of the parties to meetings with civil society organizations, including trade unions, professional associations, religious bodies and private sector organisations in this campaign.
In explaining the joint initiative, Roopnaraine said that it was a campaign that represented the belief that the combined energies of efforts of the parties would have a greater impact as opposed to single party operations.
Corbin said that he was prepared to work with all parties on this matter which was one of “national concern” since it affected all Guy-anese.
Fear and smear
Ramjattan stated that the reply of the government to these allegations was one of “fear and smear” and he opined that the combination of resources could produce a better counter to this campaign.
When the question about the purpose of sending the dossier to international agencies was raised, there were differing views as to what this would achieve. Raphael Trotman opined that while Guyanese need to solve the problems themselves, international bodies needed to be sensitized about the matter and made aware that there was a united effort being made by the opposition parties. He, however, emphasized that it was in no way begging the international organizations to come and fix the country’s problems.
Franklin opined that the problem needed to be solved with the present government’s involvement and he said that the government needed to be engaged.
But Corbin opined that there is limited hope that the government would facilitate an inquiry and the citizens of the country need to stand up and force the administration to accountability. He further stated that based on the administration’s behaviour, if the government conducted an independent inquiry by itself questions about its credibility will arise. Corbin said this was why the PNCR was calling for an international body like Interpol to conduct an investigation, although he said that this body may have its own limitations in how far it could intervene in such a matter. He argued that there were other human rights bodies and the International Criminal Court which could be explored. Corbin said he hoped that if the parties accumulated the right evidence, they could trigger some international body to carry out the investigations, as he pointed out that this had happened elsewhere.
Roopnaraine argued that the extent to which international bodies respond is dependent on the level of indignation that is demonstrated locally. He said that is why the parties will be teaming up to launch an aggressive education campaign, which he identified as being crucial until the requisite level of national indignation is achieved. The WPA leader said this campaign could include public meetings and civil society marches among other activities.
When asked specifically about the apparent shift in attitude regarding marches, Roopnaraine said the government has worked hard and overtime to criminalize street protests. This, he opined, was the case in 2001 and 2006 and he stated that the government kept linking protests with violence. He, however, emphasized that this initiative is one in the interest of peace.
Meanwhile, when quizzed about the legitimacy of the evidence, should Simels be acquitted by the US Court of the charges, the political leaders were adamant that the evidence would still be relevant.
The AFC’s Trotman said the evidence given was sworn testimony which only confirmed what persons locally already had some information about, a fact which Corbin supported.
Ramjattan contended that both the prosecution and defence have come up with evidence linking the Guyana government to Khan’s activities.
Trotman also opined that the Director of Public Prosecutions should have requested to see the files on certain matters and given advice for prosecution to be done here. He said that Khan’s decision to plead guilty had its own implications about what sort of activities went on locally adding that the will to prosecute is simply not here.
Surveillance equipment
The ‘spy machine’
The leaders were also asked about their attempts to ascertain, firstly from the US government whether it gave permission for the shipment of the surveillance equipment and secondly from Smith Myers as to whom from the Guyana Government had given permission for this transaction.
In response, Raphael Trotman said that back in 2002, when he was a member of the PNCR, he was aware that the then PNCR Leader Desmond Hoyte had written to both the US government and Smith Myers requesting information but it was not provided. He said that Smith Myers acknowledged the request but said that it could not be answered for national security reasons.
However, he said the joint opposition will now make a fresh attempt to find this out from the relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, Ramjattan disclosed that the parties are currently trying to get from the Commissioner of Police information about Charles Chapman, who allegedly travelled to Guyana to train persons in the use of surveillance equipment. He said that they want to ascertain when he came to Guyana and how long he spent in the country. Ramjattan pointed out that immigration documentation should be able to supply this sort of information. Observers have noted that Chapman’s testimony could expose the entire conspiracy if he revealed who had handled his travel arrangements, who he had met while here and who he trained.
this is great news this is what it’s all about i support the
opposition parties 1000 pct. i say keep the pressure up and
dont be afraid of this ppp regime, the whole world is watching
keep marching by the us embassy let them know that guyanese
had enough of this elected dictatorship govt.
Just when I was beginning to think that the opposition oparties in Guyana were a set of do-nothing pushover, this happens and it couldn’t have come at a better time!
Watch out though. The record of Chapman’s arrival, departure and stay in Guyana, may have already been destroyed. It is too much to expect this lawless govt to still have those records lying around to implicate them.
This is a good move for all the opposition parties to unite for the good of all guyanese, remember united we stand, divided we fall.
Amen-ra , I say amen , to that .
amen-ra, Roger Khan is a godsend to the PNC, AFC and the baby parties. They don’t have a political, economic and social programme of substance to match the PPP’s, so they’re latching on to the Roger Khan case to make a hullabaloo. Whenever Roger Khan’s birthday comes around all these parties should send him a birthday/thank-you card. Have a nice weekend, friend. I enjoy sparring with you.
yasuman what nonsense you talking, if so why are guyanese still fleeing from guyana, why are so lines so long at the u.s, canada, and uk embassies, nobody don’t run from good, and that’s what happening in guyana thanks to your ppp govt.
don’t forget the majority are glad that the criminals/freeDUMB fighters are gone.
they never demonstrated or write letters fighting for the innocent break down door victims, guyanese are not stupid.
they dont care, the FREEDUMB FIGHTERS/BUXTON gang are all but gone. a plus for the PPP.
I am not sure who isn’t glad the criminals are gone. The real question is how many people are excited about the methods the government used to get rid of them.
Engaging in criminal conduct with drug traffickers and aiding their operations by giving them forestry concessions and full run of the law enforcement apparatus of the country is not something many are terribly enamored with, well except for people like you freespeech.
Good on the joint opposition efforts. But I am very suspicious about some of them. I hope at the end of the day, the people and Guyana win.
Sometimes I wonder what would have happened to Guyana if the Buxton based AARM killer gangs were not stopped especially after you hear about army officials allegedly moving beheaded cane-cutter and burying them in the backlands. Pictures of Somalia keep popping up in my head. Tough times demands tough actions.
Yes toug times does demand tough action, but that doesn’t not under no crisis give, RK a drug dealer, bond jumper, gun smuggler the right to have his group kill ppl at random with these ppl never had they day in court for us to see who the real culprits are, it means we have no need for they security forces, if we have to use a drug baron to fight crime in GY,then when held in another country for his illegal activities the said gov is in all denial that the ever had any contact with that drug lord how pathetic, these guy were not free dumb fighter {taliban} as there were call, these guys were fightin back cus of the foolice brutality,torture unlawfull killings ect,have u ever heard of any other country in the world where the gov hire a drug lord to fight crime and not callin for external help, this gov refuse that help cus the knew where RK resources were comin form but what the didn’t know is this day was comin, time longer than twine.
Mr.MILLER pl read this….
These U.S. allies are rapists. As early as 1996, the U.S. State Department’s own report on human rights in Afghanistan concluded that the forces led by (the now lionized) Ahmed Shah Massoud systematically raped and killed Hazzara women in Kabul in March 1995: “Massood’s troops went on a rampage, systematically looting whole streets and raping women.” Since their return to power, Northern Alliance forces have returned to their old habits…
Gary Leupp, CounterPunch.org, July 16, 2002
This is tiresome. What credibility will this effort have if the PNC is a part of it? Thousands of Guyanese believe it was the PNC’s ‘tit’ that produced this stupid Govt’ ‘tat.’ And for this effort to be successful, it NEEDS the support of a majority of Guyanese. As long as people see this Govt. as ‘fighting for them against terrorism’ they will continue to excuse its lawlessness.
Guyana needs to be free of this crippling internal political conflict and bloodshed. But justice must not only be done, it must also appear to have been done. And only the few remaining ‘credible’ parties have a shot at bringing this about. Linking themselves with the PNC in this matter could spell their death in the next elections.
They should have gone it alone and left the PNC to its opportunistic noises.
johan if see to me you do not knew your histroy.think back when the pnc use to rule guyana.how good things use to be.do you remmber when one dollar could buy you things guyana.now one dollar do not worth anythings.it was some much killing use to go on.if wanted to call people terroism take good look at the ppp.look at how many people lost the life with this govt.
Johan, I enjoy your blogs. I will make a comment on this one issue: inclusion of the PNC.
I too observed it right off; didn’t ‘like’ it.
I recognise, however, that as unpalatable as it might be to me, at the end of the day, at the end of any inquiry, at the end of the next election, whatever the outcome, no section of the Guyanese society should be excluded from the work, and benefits, of improving the country.
Starkly put, whatever the PPP goverment did or didn’t do, the post-in
Oops!
Starkly put, whatever the PPP government did or didn’t do is not to deny the organisation and its constituency their role at the table in future.
Likewise the PNC.
Parikalove40: My family was thick with the PNC. When I was too young to vote I laughed at the way my folks would come home with their fingers red, wash clothes at the stand pipe to get rid of the ink, then go back and vote again. Then when I came of age I did my bit purely because of the resentment I felt from the Indians around me. We were one of the few black residents in an Indian village, you see.
Yes, I remember the relative peace. I also remember the KSI lines and economic decay until Hoyte. The dollar? Greendige devalued it every year! Burnham’s push for self-sufficiency was great but ham-fisted. We were plummeting. Suddenly, it was no longer funny. The absolute power had corrupted absolutely.
By the time Hoyte came along with his economic reversal the public mood was so darkened and corruption so entrenched, he didn’t stand a chance. Guyana – and I – wanted change.
Then the change came, and the euphoria was oh so brief. It was contempt for the people beginning with Janet’s tossing of that writ (go ahead, SN, chop it again) and bloodshed between mimions of a party that would not go quietly, and a government who jumped right into the gutter with them. The economic ‘growth’ that the PPP brought was tumorus, lop sided and callous. Between them and the PNC, they have turned Guyana into a backward and self defeating mutant.
That enough history for you? So here I am again calling for change. Change from the poverty of the PNC years and the bloodshed of the PPP years, and the sickening partisanship of BOTH. And I am eager to try someone new.
Peace: I agree everyone has a role to play. But I’d sit these two big guys on the bench for now – at least until they learn how to behave. There are others who can give us the strength and self-sufficiency of the PNC years AND the economic uptic of the PPP years that began with Hoyte without all the other crap that came with them. Until the PNC and PPP show respect for Guyana as a whole I want nothing more to do with them. I am only one person, but I believe some discipline is due here.
The PPP should have been part and parcel at this gathering. Someone in the said PPP has to emerge in a leadership role and take control of the situation at hand. The PPP will not come to an end because of the corrupt government. Government and crooks in bed can never work. The government has failed miserably and the Party should have asked Ramsammy, Rohee, Luncheon et al to step down in the best interest of the PPP and in an effort to hold on to whatever integrity (if any) is left.
Well said.I feel PPPC supporters alongside those currently protesting is what we need for this administration to show respect for human rights and to practice good governance.
For too long this administration cleverly shaped the views of its citizens as regards protests. The leader of the WPA put it it neatly. He said “…the government kept linking protests with violence” and I agree.The right to protest should not be suppressed in a democracy.
In light of the revelations in a Brookln court that we definitely would never learn in a Guyana court, I whole-heartedly suuport the combining of energies by all political parties – regardless of existing individual differences on issues and approaches – to confront this Jagdeo regime and its facilitative sponsor, the PPP. It’s time for the stakeholders of society to rally around these parties and whip up the people of Guyana into action. The President and PPP have only themselves to blame for making it possible for the rest of the nationto view them with grave suspicion. How else do you explain firing workers for failing polygraph tests, but ministers are exemt and other drug barons and money launderers and living it up without being touched by the law? It is a governemnt of lawlessness that allows lawlessness to reign.
dont matta wha yu do it still is the PPP
Ha ha hahahaa,it sure is!!
Stop your mindless taunting and come up with some substantive rebuttal. Even stalwart PPP supporters offer something here. Get with it fellas.
Every Guyanese at home and abroad should join/ support this initiative to make public the relationship between Roger Khan and the Jagdeo PPP/Civic administration. This unprecedented disregard for the public good must be exposed at all cost. It is hoped now that the opposition parties have expressed the collective approach, they will be relentless in their pursuit of the truth.
Guyana has suffered for too long at the hands of a select group hiding behind the banner, “democratically elected government”. Guyanese every where let your voice be heard for our mother land and it’s time to eradicate corruption from the highest levels in the land. Restore hope and economic development for all Guyanese. Rally to the cause all like minded people.
a people united can never be defeated!
way to go! time to take the fight to this lawless and corrupt govt.
BEST GOVT OF THE DAY, NO MORE PNC THE KABAKA IS LONG DEAD.
Interesting Lambada. Sounds like you are caught in a time warp.
Kabaka was past tense 24 years ago. PPP has been in government for 17 years.
Yet we still harp about burnhame dis and bunham dat. Seriously who cares? tell me what this bunch of clowns are doing for us today? what have they accomplished that we should celebrate?
What have they done that is world class?