Dear Editor,
In 1966 the National Security Act (Miscellaneous Provisions) was passed shortly after independence. It gave authorities broad search and seizure powers, which were subsequently used by L.F.S. Burnham to detain political opponents, critics, and labour activists. The Act allows for detention for up to 90 days without trial. PPP supporters were detained in the past using this act. It is very concerning to see what appears to be a heavy-handed approach to dealing with the political opposition being carried out by the state. It echoes of a bygone time when dictatorship silenced opposition, and heavy-handed tactics instilled fear in the masses. Some events that have led to the deaths of opponents to the government of that time have also been linked to this unjust and biased use of power and the state security apparatus.
CRG condemns any attempt by an official to use these old unjust tactics to undermine the democratic process and our democracy. We the people of Guyana must remain outspoken, and we must ensure that democracy is not derailed and destroyed by those who are fearful of losing power. Detention of political opponents and the unjustified arrest of those who do not share the same perspective of those in power should not be tolerated in today’s Guyana. The PPP and WPA stood up against such acts by the PNC in the past, and any attempts made to bring back such dictatorial rule should be met with resistance from all Guyanese including members of the good Doctor’s PPP. We have already seen the undermining of a major newspaper through financial skullduggery, and now we are witnessing what appears to be an unjustified use of power to restrict and detain key political opponents. Comrades, fellow Guyanese, we must not and cannot allow our young democracy to descend once again into an intolerable dictatorship.
With utmost concern,
Mr. Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
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