-asks where is rule of law in Karimbaksh case
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) last night said that it is “deeply concerned” by the remand to prison of the Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed following his latest arrest and charge.
“Our position is that the laws of Guyana must be respected at every turn. No person, whatever their office, wealth or influence, is above the law, and APNU does not condone the breaking of it. Where allegations are made, they must be tested in a court of law and, if proven, the law must take its course. But the same law protects every person, with the presumption of innocence, due process and a fair hearing. Guyanese have freedoms protected under law, and those freedoms extend to all Guyanese. We will not stand silent while they are eroded”, the party said in a statement.
On the question of bail, it noted that Mohamed has been charged with a cybercrime offence in connection with the release of police surveillance footage.
“This is an allegation, not a finding. The charge is non-violent, and his legal team insists that it is bailable. The Bail Act requires a court to have reason to believe, on evidence, that a defendant is likely to commit another offence before bail is refused. Pending allegations are not convictions, and the presumption of innocence applies. We believe the basis for the finding deserves close scrutiny, and we trust his High Court application will be heard independently and, on the evidence, alone”, the party said.
APNU noted what it said was the current and continuing abuse of the laws of Guyana in this government’s failed attempts at governance, and the systematic degradation of freedoms that Guyanese citizens must enjoy. It said that the reality of politics is that there will always be opposing views, and the laws protect that.
“Respect for the law must come with consistency and impartiality. The law must never be an instrument against political opponents, nor a shield for those who enjoy favour or proximity to power.
Serious allegations have been made against Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh. The Police Force announced that he was sent on leave pending investigation, and that decision has since been rescinded. The public has been given no clear account of where that investigation stands. Where is the rule of law in that situation? Our concern is not whether one person is prosecuted or another spared. There must be one law, one standard and equal justice for all”, the party said.
APNU called on the PPP/C government:
•not to continue its attempts to neutralise the opposition, of which we are a part;
•not to weaponise the police force any further;
•not to restrict public protest;
•not to silence the media; and
•not to use the law when convenient and abandon it when inconvenient.
It vowed that this will not be allowed to become a precedent for the PPP/C to jail its political opponents.
“APNU will confront any attempt to abuse the law and we will continue to advocate vigorously for the rule of law, the freedoms of all Guyanese and the right of the opposition to do its work.
“Our politics has endured decades of PPP/C dominance. We will not allow it to continue and cause Guyanese to lose their natural right to freedom of expression.
“Democracy is bigger than any individual or administration. The rule of law must be upheld, justice must be impartial, and equality before the law must never be negotiable in Guyana”, the party declared.
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