Perspectives examining the nexus between the ‘the Fight against Terrorism and the Respect for Human Rights’ was the subject of the ruling People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) first symposium for 2015.Held at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, Red House on Thursday evening, the event was chaired by party Chairman, Hydar Ally and saw a packed conference room.
The party’s General Secretary Clement Rohee was one of three speakers, who stressed that there is an undeniable link between the fight against terrorism and respect for human rights.

TOLERANCE FOR DIVERSITY
According to Rohee, the root cause of terrorism, as evidenced in the many terrorist acts in recent years, underscores the need for respect for different cultures, beliefs and the need to uphold the dignity of the world’s peoples – tolerance for diversity.
Rohee stated that while there are certain guaranteed freedoms for all human beings, including the freedom of speech, those freedoms are not without demands of its own – the main demand being responsibility.
“We all have our freedoms, but those come with responsibility …there must be a balance between the two,” he opined.
He added that freedoms must not be seen in isolation since the freedom to free speech, for example, comes with a responsibility to ensure that in the exercise of that freedom, or any other freedom, one must not impinge on the freedoms and rights of another human being – tolerance for diversity.
Referring the most recent terrorist attack in Paris, France, where several people lost their lives, Rohee stressed that while those actions are not justified, the perpetrators of the attack who are regarded as misguided in many quarters, premised their actions on disrespect of their religion.
On that note, he reiterated the need for greater levels of tolerance and accommodation of diversity.
“There must be respect for each other’s rights…what we must have is tolerance and accommodation of diversity,” the PPP General Secretary said.
Guyana, he highlighted, is a model for the world in its levels of tolerance for different cultures, religions and beliefs held dear by the Guyanese people.
“This is something Guyana is proud of,” Rohee said.

CHALLENGES EXIST
The Party’s General Secretary, however, did not turn a blind eye to the fact that challenges exist for Guyana, despite the tolerance for diversity that Guyanese can boast of.
The primary challenge, relative to the elements that divide the Guyanese people, is politically centered, he said.
Rohee pointed out that the legacies of colonialism, expressly a politically divided Guyana, continues to raise its ‘ugly’ head from time to time.
He said: “Guyanese left to themselves-this division would not have happened…were it not for politics and legacy of ‘divide and rule’, which the British left us, we would have made more progress.”
This, the PPP General Secretary, surmised is why Guyanese must remain vigilant, especially when the “wolves in sheep clothing walk among us” and try to “influence” and advance further division.
Rohee pointed out that Guyana and Guyanese “battled” for its independence and the price paid for independence is known and must the reason that Guyanese rise above negative forces.
“Our gains are hard won and in the face of threats, all type of terrorism, we must not lose that.We must rise above the forces that try to destroy us,” Rohee exhorted.

COMMITTED TO THE FIGHT
Guyana since independence has come a long way, Rohee moted
Consequently, he was emphatic that the PPP believes in the struggle against terrorism, both domestic and foreign threats, which aim to create havoc among the Guyanese people.
“The PPP has not changed. We remain the same….our country has come a long way and we have further to go,” Rohee said.
He added that the Guyanese people are not unfamiliar with “manifestations of terrorism” and did not need to wait for other global events to be able to wrap their minds around the nature of terrorism.
On this note, Rohee stated that in addition to recognition of the need for tolerance of diversity, there is a need for a balance between the fight against terrorism and the respect and preservation and respect for human rights.

STRIKING A BALANCE
Striking this balance – fighting terrorism and preserving human rights – is the challenge of the day, according to Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall.
He agreed that there must be respect and tolerance for the diversity of a country and, by extension, the world’s peoples and their beliefs.
However, Nandlall pointed out that while non-tolerance of diversity is sometimes the platform from which terrorist acts are perpetrated, in fighting terrorism these very human rights are sometimes the causalities.
According to him, while terrorism poses a threat to human rights, given the monumental impacts of such acts, often times, law enforcement efforts to counter terrorism also pose a threat to human rights.
This, he stressed, is the balance that must be struck by Governments, the world over.
The Attorney General highlighted the fact that while countries have signed onto international conventions and treaties relating to human rights, they are allowed to disregard these if the “exigency” of a terrorist act and subsequent response demands it.
He explained that if a terrorist act is committed and the Government fails to protect its people, it is seen to have failed; on the other hand, if in protecting its citizens a Government undermines civil liberties, it also is viewed as having failed.
“Human rights and civil liberties are sacrificed at the altar of terrorism and at the altar of the war on terrorism,” he said.
He added that there is little room to maneuver and success in this demands striking a delicate balance.
“No one can dispute that terrorism is one of the most formidable challenge facing the human race…the reason varies, the targets are diverse, reasons and rustication and philosophy are noble and benign…as seen, religion is a prominent platform from which acts of terrorism are launched, but what is certain is that human rights are the causality,” Nandlall stressed.
Additionally, the third speaker, Moulana Abu Bakr, a representative of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), detailed the principles of Islam and the teachings of the Prophet and stressed the disassociation of Islam from acts of terrorism.
By the end of the evening, the general consensus was that: the principles of Islam are not reflected in terrorist acts; there must be respect, tolerance and accommodation of diversity; and while terrorism affects people, sometimes the fight against terrorism impinges on civil liberties.
Ultimately there is an undeniable link between the fight against terrorism and respect for human rights.

(By Vanessa Narine)