LAST Thursday the National Assembly heard a motion brought by the PPP that called for the State to compensate residents in Sophia for injury and destruction to property on 11th May, 2015, i.e. Election Night. Stories of political violence, real, perceived, contrived or instigated, have been with this nation for quite some time. Accusations and counter- accusations have been made by the various political parties throughout our mass-based political history. Violence, regardless of who it is committed by ought not to be countenanced. Any citizen caught engaging in such acts ought to be subjected to the rule of law. Given that the motion sought compensation, in order for such to be done a case has to be established regarding responsibility and guilt, which requires investigation and examination within the parameter of the laws.
In this specific instance, it would have been necessary for the law to take its course by allowing the police, without political interference, to investigate the complaints and lay charges on the alleged perpetrators, have these persons placed before the court, and those found guilty, face the brunt of the law. In the real world, compensation can only be determined and awarded after the necessary investigations are conducted and culpability is established. It is not unreasonable to assume that the PPP knows this and this brings into question the intent and seriousness of the motion.
Failure to ensure this due process, it is clear that the intent was not to seek justice for those the motion had named. The absence of bringing seriousness to a matter deserving of seriousness must not escape attention. While PPP Member of Parliament (MP) Odinga Lumumba, in his presentation said that he did not believe that the attack was centrally directed by the APNU+AFC, at the same time the MP was implying that the attack on the person was because the individual is a PPP supporter/member. The MP proceeded in saying, “There will come a time in Guyana where the PPP, like any other revolutionary organisation, will have to be physical and stand up against violence and such a step is not in the interest of Guyana and democracy.” This is astounding.
On one hand, there exists a failure to proceed with the necessary means to ensure justice and on the other hand, a situation deserving of seriousness was used to send a subliminal message of retaliatory violence. This form of political discourse and engagement has no place in our society and political leaders must deliver the requisite leadership. What was being displayed in the National Assembly was political grandstanding to pit groups against each other, which can see the arming of communities against communities. The motion, while its content and structure may have followed parliamentary procedures, the utterances by its proponents leave much to be desired.
While the National Assembly grants elected officials some level of immunity in their presentations, it is not unreasonable for the society to expect our Members of Parliament to respect this august house and exercise this immunity judiciously. In the next two months, this nation will go to the Local Government Elections. The campaign has already started and the society expects a spirited and violence-free process that leads to the elections of our local government representatives. The society is counting on all the political parties, contesting groups and individuals, including the PPP, to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the peace desired.