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US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch and United States Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti Barbara Feinstein with representatives of the Black Entrepreneurs Association (US Embassy photo)

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch and United States Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti Barbara Feinstein with representatives of the Black Entrepreneurs Association (US Embassy photo)

March 27,2022

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United States Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti Barbara Feinstein on Friday met with civil society group Article 13 and a number of issues ranging from the “overwhelming powers” of the President to the government’s recent attack on civil society bodies were raised by the group.

In a statement, the group said that the meeting was a result of an invitation from the United States of America Embassy in Guyana. The engagement with Feinstein and US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch lasted for one hour and Article 13 was represented by Yog Mahadeo, Jonathan Yearwood and Christopher Ram.

Article 13 said that the discussions were wide-ranging and covered the origin, ideas and activities of the body since its first announcement in September 2021.

“We noted that we took our inspiration from Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana providing through an inclusionary democracy the participation of citizens and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being. That right is now elevated and protected among the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual protected under Title 1 of the Constitution,” the group reported.

Article 13 said it raised a plethora of issues that it deemed important and require urgent attention. Providing a list of some of those issues, Article 13 said that the threats to democracy including the attempts to overturn the results of the March 2020 elections, the long-ranging powers of the president, the non-appointment of a number of Constitutional Commissions and statutory bodies, constitutional reform, winner takes all politics, electoral reform – including the restrictive provision of section 11B of the Representation of the People Act and non-compliance with Election Expenses Accountability, and government’s attack on civil society were all raised.

“We also discussed the Access to Information Act and its failure to live up to expectations as one of the pillars of Article 146 of the Constitution of Guyana; corruption; and the need for Civil Society to engage the government, politicians and political parties, and the rest of society in dialogue to enhance our democracy and society,” the statement added.

Article 13 members with the US Ambassador and Deputy Assistant Secretary (US Embassy photo)

Article 13 said that it recognises that Guyana’s issues require Guyanese solutions and attention, however, it saw the opportunity to meet with Ambassador Lynch and Feinstein as a means of engagement. The group also said that at no point during the meeting did it seek any support from the US diplomats nor was any offered.

Feinstein arrived in Guyana on Thursday as part of a mission to further bilateral ties between Guyana and the US. According to the US Embassy, “Her visit underscores the continued importance the United States places on the U.S./Guyanese partnership.”

She has already met with Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who is performing the functions of President, and Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo. During her meeting with Jagdeo, Feinstein raised the issue of revamping the Carter-Price formula for the composing of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) among a range of other issues.

Revamping the formula, which had been intended for use only in the 1992 general elections, has been cited as vital by a number of observer groups over the years. The recommendations in the main have called for de-politicising of the body via the appointment of competent members of civil society rather than politicians.

Feinstein also met with the leader of the PNCR Aubrey Norton, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnette, the Black Entrepreneurs Association and several other foreign diplomats.

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Gov’t open to civil society scrutiny but wary of partisanship – Jagdeo

Government is open to civil society scrutiny but will not sit idly by and allow lies to be spread by organisations that claim to be apolitical but are partisan, Vice President Bharat Jagdeo has said.

A day after the government’s persecution of civil society groups was raised by PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton during a meeting with visiting United States Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti Barbara Feinstein, Jagdeo on Friday said that he rejected the positions simply because they are false.

“We made it clear that this is a free country and people are free to express their views and they have done so under the PPP without fear of intimidation. People who would not say a word under APNU have found their voice now and that is good. But we are not eunuchs,” Jagdeo told a news conference on Friday.

“If they come and lie about the governed or take partisan points as they have done, we will not take it because we are not eunuchs. We are not going to sit and take everything just because we want to have a good name that we will not criticise civil society,” he added.

Government has faced criticism over its attacks on some civil society groups that have voiced concerns over its handling of various aspects of governance, particularly as it relates to the extractives sector.

Accusing them of selective advocacy and trying to derail progress, President Irfaan Ali and members of his Cabinet recently blasted civil society groups which have called for greater government accountability and transparency.

Norton said he took up the issue with the US envoy. “In speaking to them we also established that there is a role for civil society and Jagdeo can’t be saying because civil society doesn’t go to the election they shouldn’t have a say. They [US] generally promote civil society and indicated that they are committed to strengthening civil society and working to build democracy in Guyana,” Norton said.

Jagdeo hit back saying that government wants to work with civil society but believes that most here tell untruths and are political.

Some bodies, he said, only consist of one member and government will support “support civil society when it expands.”

“Some of these civil society organisations are corrupt. They operate just to collect money from the international community. Some are undemocratic; it is a one person organisation.  One man couldn’t get a job in government and he went off and… he formed an organisation that is one of the most vocal groups,” the Vice President said.

“We want to work with civil society but you can’t come and lie about it,” he added.

Django

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