The opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has condemned the motion passed in the National Assembly by the coalition government to offer sympathy to the widow, children and relatives of former parliamentarian Abdul Kadir, who died in a United States prison after being convicted of terrorism-related offences.
“The use of a Parliamentary Resolution is now an indelible stain on our people and national character that will not easily be forgiven or forgotten by those who have suffered at the hands of international terrorism,” the PPP said in a statement yesterday, while calling the motion an act of betrayal.
During Friday’s sitting of the Assembly, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture Valarie Adams-Yearwood told the House that Kadir was “a great man, a stalwart, a bold and courageous man” and urged that the National Assembly records its deep regret at his death and pay tribute to his dedicated service to the Parliament of Guyana.
The motion, which was supported by APNU+AFC Region 10 Representative Audwin Rutherford, was passed unopposed in the absence of the opposition members.
According to the statement from the party, the use of the National Assembly, Guyana’s highest decision-making authority, to honor someone who was convicted in the United States for plotting to blow up the John F. Kennedy International Airport is clearly not reflective of the will of the people of Guyana.
The party sought to link this action with what it called the People’s National Congress’ “history of honoring and exonerating violent criminals.” These actions, it argued, show a pattern of association and glorification of homegrown terrorists.
