I VIEW with great consternation the public statements uttered by Member of Parliament Mr. Carl Greenidge from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) on Monday when the combined Opposition was notified of the President’s decision to prorogue Parliament. 

Mr. Greenidge said among other things that King Charles 1, was beheaded because he prorogued Parliament. Sending the subliminal threat that the road President Donald Ramotar chose is one that could have that possibility.
This statement is a very damning one that came from the APNU executive and cannot be perceived any other way than a threat to the life of the President of Guyana.
Greenidge didn’t stop there he went on further to state that APNU will not be supporting any agreements made with investors during the period of prorogation. In essence he is publicly promulgating fear in the minds of the business community, the electorate and the Executive arm of Government.
Mr. Ramjattan, who is the leader of the AFC, is on record publicly inciting violent and racial undertones over the recent proroguing of Parliament. He said that, “we have to ensure that their action must have a reaction…” he then brought in the issue of race and said that somehow it was the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) that would “beat” the East Indians and have it aired on National Communications Network (NCN) to amass support, saying that the people will spontaneously react to the frustration of the Prorogation.
“This PPP/C is provoking that which could be very serious to itself,” said Ramjattan. His remarks, like the ones made by his colleague Greenidge are clearly intended to incite violence and promulgate fear in the minds of the citizenry.
Just recently it was in the news that Mr. Ramjattan verbally abused a reporter attached to the National Communications Network (NCN), hurling profane remarks at the reporter because he was questioned about the so called $30 M each, buyout of three Opposition MP’s by the PPP/C that he said he knew of but could not substantiate.
The Guyana Press Association and the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) have spoken on the abusive behaviour of Mr. Ramjattan. However, as to only issue a slap on the wrist, they said that “abuse of journalists must not happen and cannot be condoned.” Nothing more was advanced over the profanity laced rants that the reporter had to endure at the hands of Mr. Ramjattan.
It is my hope, that the Guyana Human Rights Association, the GBA (to which Ramjattan falls under since he is an attorney-at-law) and the Guyana Association of Women Layers and ideally, all the relevant oversight bodies address these damning threats that these men have orated publicly with an intent that is seemingly calculated. After all, it was these same bodies that were very vociferous and unrelenting in their call for the resignation of the Attorney General over a private recording that was attributed to him.
If one were to contextualize the statements that were made by Ramjattan and Greenidge it is equal, if not worse than what was advanced by the voice purporting to be that of Attorney General, who said among other things that people would react violently to Kaieteur News if it continues to slaughter people’s character. At least what was said here is uncertain and has to be verified, since it was a private conversation which was recorded. However, the threats made by Ramjattan and Greenidge were said publicly with the intent to cause harm, fear and mischief.
I await the responses, condemnations and calls for resignations of these men, who it seems can be very liberal in the use of their words publicly yet, only get slaps on their wrists while the Attorney General is being taken to the gallows for a manipulated private recording that was attributed to him. Unless, they issue a statement calling for the resignation of these men, they should apologise to the Attorney General. I await the impartiality of these bodies, if it goes for one it goes for all.

FARUK MOHAMED