Dear Editor,
The Canadian High Commissioner, Lilian Chaterjee, was boasting of her commitment to democracy, and informing the Guyanese that Canada is paying for the CARICOM observer team’s transport to and upkeep in Guyana. The goodly lady said proudly that she is a democrat and committed to democracy.

What is amusing is that in that same statement, she says that “We were very, very, very disappointed that the CARICOM team left because of a frivolous injunction that fortunately the courts dismissed.” By that statement alone, she has once again dismissed herself as an impartial observer in the electoral process. The plain and undisputed fact is that the CARICOM team left Guyana initially, because there was no basis in law for them to conduct the recount as it was initially structured.

The High Commissioner heaps praise on CARICOM for ensuring the process was finalised, when in fact it was GECOM that decided to conduct the recount and organised the parameters in which it will be done.

Let me remind High Commissioner Chaterjee that the Judicial branch in the form of the Supreme Court is the ultimate arbiter in any legal and constitutional dispute in Guyana. If any citizen feels aggrieved, the constitution gives them the right to approach the said courts for redress. In this case, a private citizen felt that CARICOM supervising a recount of the election was unconstitutional and of no legal effect.

So, to downplay an approach to the courts that subsequently directed that the recount be done in a constitutional manner is blatantly disrespectful to the citizens and Judicial branch of independent sovereign Guyana. Madam High Commissioner, I am sure you can read the judgement as delivered by Honorable Justice Gregory; the Court of Appeal ruled that CARICOM supervision of any recount was and remains illegal. If the court thought the matter was frivolous, the case would have been dismissed forthwith.

The many questions surrounding this official’s conduct makes it difficult, if not impossible, to accept that she has the credibility that such a high diplomatic office demands. From the allegations surrounding Charrandass and the no-confidence motion, to her partial conduct during the post-election process, and now her plain undiplomatic rantings. Nothing else but an unconditional apology and a change to diplomatic norms will be accepted by the right-thinking Guyanese people.

Regards
Jerrick Rutherford