We must all condemn the vengeful and desperate pursuit of Kaieteur News and Glenn Lall
DEAR EDITOR, It is really frightening that in this 22nd year since the so-called restoration of democracy to Guyana, a major Guyanese newspaper and its owner have been targeted for persecution and prosecution simply for reporting the news. Though I am convinced that any eventual prosecution will end in failure, I am concerned that Kaieteur News and Glenn Lall will have to expend valuable time and hard-earned money to clear their names against the vengeful frivolities of people who believe that their election or appointment to office has made them immune to scrutiny. I believe that these demonstrably frivolous actions have no place in even a so-called democratic society such as ours, and must therefore be condemned. So I join right-thinking Guyanese in condemning the various skullduggeries that have been unleashed against Kaieteur News and Glenn Lall by Khurshid Sattaur and his handlers. In their vengeful and desperate pursuit of Mr. Lall and Kaieteur News, Mr. Sattaur and his handlers have disregarded civility, ignored the rule of law, and stomped on our constitution. I urge Guyanese everywhere to join me in defending Mr. Lall and Kaieteur News so that they can continue to provide us with the information we so desperately need to help hold our politicians and appointed officials responsible to their oaths of office. As this matter unfolds, it is worth observing that Khurshid Sattaur probably didn’t voluntarily pick up the fire-rage of Bharrat Jagdeo and others in their ill-advised battle against Kaieteur News and Glenn Lall. It’s just that he finds himself as head of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) at a time when those who appointed him are hell-bent on using the GRA or any other means to destroy Kaieteur News or any other entity that exposes their disgusting disservice to our nation. So having picked up the fire-rage, Khurshid now finds himself trapped and belittled in a firestorm of public criticisms and self-delusions, hoping against all hope that the police will rescue him. I hope that the police will act professionally and refuse to allow themselves to be used as anybody’s attack dog. The police must respect their oath of office, respect the independence they preach, and refuse to be used in any effort to deprive Guyanese of a news outlet that is essential in a so-called democracy. Lionel Lowe