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The political parties AFC, (PNCR) APNU and the PPP/C made presentation on the ruling, as Attorney General Mr. Anil Nandlall, in an exclusive interview with the state media, highlighted the Gvernment’s position.
He explained that the motion seeks to impose a sanction for an offence which the minister has not committed, and he noted that in any system or in any process that accords with civility and is democratic and recognized by law, whenever a penalty is to be imposed, an offence has to be committed and due process has to be extended.
All of this, he continued, is been thrown aside by what is proceeding and what was attempted to proceed within the National Assembly because of the arguments posed by opposition members, when the argument, in a nut shell, is that the opposition parties have a majority of one and will sweep aside all democratic positions, all the rule of law, the constitution, standing orders — the accumulative effect of them all allowing for due process to take place — and their argument in the assembly means nothing once the issue is put to a vote.
He continued by denouncing the height of illegality, the height of an affront to fairness and natural justice.
Asked the way forward for the Government on operation and bills, or any matter to be brought under Minister Rohee, the AG replied that the speaker of the house ruled two things as he understands it. One is that he had committed the motion to the Privileges Committee, and secondly, Minister Rohee, in the interim, will not be allowed to bring any motion or bills to the house.
He stated that he sees many things wrong with such a decision, in that you only commit to the Privileges Committee when a wrong has been committed by a Member of Parliament within the precincts of the National Assembly, and no wrong has been committed by Minister Rohee. He said that is his point ad nauseam, as he sees that aspect in the ruling as flawed.
Making mention of the second aspect of the ruling — against Minister Rohee from bringing any business to the house – he called it an unlawful prohibition of the powers that a member enjoys in the National Assembly to discharge the mandate and the will of the electorate.
He mentioned that all members of the house sit in the National Assembly because they were elected to do so, and as elected members of the National Assembly, they have an obligation to discharge the mandate and business of the people.
He lamented how the speaker had unilaterally imposed such a restriction on an elected member of the National Assembly, and in so doing had interfered with the right and freedom of that member to discharge his mandate, thereby frustrating the will of the electorate.
He added that an unfortunate situation has now presented itself, as Minister Rohee, who has responsibility for the security sector — Guyana Police Force, Guyana Prison Service, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Fire Service — is being prohibited from discharging the functions of his office, especially in the area of law enforcement. He said that with the growing crime situation in the country at the moment, which the Government is tackling, the minister with responsibility for this sector is being muted.
He noted that, naturally, what will next be seen are an increase in crime, and a decrease in the state’s capacity to enforce and maintain law and order in the country.
He said Guyana was approaching the holiday season, and that is when an increase in security and police presence is needed in Guyana. And this, he noted, is a serious indictment against the state’s ability to maintain law and order in the country.
Asked about the Firearms Amendment Bill, the AG said this is a very important piece of legislation because it seeks to bring into force a law which allows for persons who are dealing with quantities of firearms and ammunition to be charged with an offence, which now does not exist as part of the laws of Guyana.
Guyana, he said, is witnessing a high increase in ammunition and firearms’ issues. He referred to the recent find in the Rupununi, and said the bill was intended to create this type of offence.
He said that with what now obtains in the National Assembly poses a serious setback on the ability of the state to bring the type of legislation needed to address major crimes.
Asked about the work of the Privileges Committee, the AG noted that this committee is controlled by the opposition, since there members constitute the majority on that committee.
He said his expectation of how the matter would proceed is not positive, having regard to the conduct and behaviour of the opposition in the National Assembly.
He indicated that he could safely presume similar behaviours will continue.
The next sitting of the National Assembly is set for Monday, 16th December, when a number of issues deferred from yesterday’s sitting are expected to return on the Order Paper.
