A number of civil society groups yesterday banded together to call on President Donald Ramotar to bring a swift end to the suspension of Parliament or call general elections.
In a statement yesterday Transparency Institute Guyana Inc, Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination, Blue CAPS, Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Church, Guyana Bar Association, Guyana Association of Women Lawyers, Help and Shelter and Women Across Differences said that the controversial November 10 prorogation was in effect a suspension of parliamentary democracy.
Ramotar has been unable to mobilise support for the prorogation of Parliament and his government has been increasingly criticized over the move. Ramotar has promised to say more about prorogation at a planned press conference tomorrow. Prorogation can last up to six months.
In their statement, the groups said “We call on His Excellency the President and his government to swiftly exercise the options of either an immediate resumption of Parliament or holding of general elections.
We urge all our political leaders to dedicate their individual and collective efforts to repairing the fragile, weak and ineffective political culture, practice and institutions that have led to this perilous period in our nation’s history. This must be effected through a spirit of compromise, dialogue, trust and reconciliation in the interest of the betterment of Guyana and all Guyanese.”
The groups expressed grave concern at the decision by Ramotar to prorogue Guyana’s Parliament which they said in effect was a suspension of parliamentary democracy.
“This is a crisis of governance on all fronts and requires urgent dialogue, mediation and citizen and civil society intervention. It is unprecedented since Independence and the way forward is tentative. We are concerned at the serious implications for our fragile democracy and the repercussions for fundamental citizens’ rights, business, stability and indeed all Guyanese”, the groups said. The call by the groups came shortly before a separate initiative by the Private Sector Commission to end the prorogation impasse.
The civil society groups said that the executive act of prorogation and the resulting suspension of the House for possibly the next six months will significantly affect the functioning of Parliament and further undermine a vital institution of the Constitution and government.
“During this period of political turbulence, we are concerned about whether the ability of the affairs of the state will be practiced in a manner that upholds the democratic principles of transparency, accountability, inclusion and representation, which we value”, the groups stated. The groups called for a swift return to the pivotal role the legislature plays in the lives of citizens “ensuring that fair laws are made, and holding the government to account for its policies, actions, and spending on matters of paramount importance to citizens”.
The civil society groups said that they recognise the urgency of harmonising the Constitution with democratic practices and called for MPs to enforce Article 13 of the Constitution more regularly, saying that citizens desire increased opportunities to have their voices reflected in “decision-making processes of the State that directly affect our well-being.”
