Maturing Democracy

Weekly viewpoint by Robert Persaud

The recent CARICOM Heads Summit was particularly interesting for the special interaction between Heads of Government and their respective opposition leaders. While it represents a signaled commitment of CARICOM Governments to listen more keenly to their opposition, Guyana’s role was unique.

            Several of the CARICOM states, which were pushing this interaction initiative, were less than willing to allow their Opposition Leaders to address the special forum, lest they `misspeak.’ In the end, only about two opposition leaders were permitted to address the Heads – Guyana and Dominica.

            President Bharrat Jagdeo, before his departure for the Summit, revealed the seeming irony where those Heads who were pushing this idea seemed reluctant to allow their opposition leaders to speak to the grouping. He further confirmed that his government would not support any effort to shut-up the opposition here or elsewhere.

Guyana, unlike certain other sister CARICOM countries, readily consented to allowing its Opposition Leader - Robert Corbin - to address the high-level gathering. The cost of Mr. Corbin’s travel was covered by the State. This willingness by the Guyanese Leader was a clear reflection of our growing political and democratic maturity. No doubt Mr. Corbin would have recognised by this act how fortunate our Opposition is when compared with others in this region.

But why should the Guyana government be afraid of allowing the Opposition to speak? The Government has nothing neither to hide nor to worry about any statement Mr. Corbin and the PNCR make here or abroad. The PPP/Civic has always been transparent and open about its governance of the country.

It has been accepted by the wider society that the Guyanese Opposition’s general line of attack against the administration has been weak. All of its myths and fabrications can be destroyed by the sheer weight of the government’s policies, programmes and national projects. People, who are benefiting from the provision of goods and services, will testify to the glaring misrepresentations of the opposition, especially via the electronic media and by surrogates such as CN Sharma, Tony Vieira, Joey Jagan and the other so-called Third Force aspirants.      

But the content of our democracy is much richer than just allowing the opposition leader to speak at a certain CARICOM heads’ forum. The constitutional advances Guyana has made to include the opposition and legitimate civil society in decision making are unmatched in this hemisphere.

I am quite sure now that Mr. Corbin is more appreciative of how inclusive, flexible and magnanimous this Government has been in treating with the political opposition. He would have heard first hand, the trials and tribulations expressed by the opposition of various member states in getting their voices heard and participating in the national decision processes.        

Mr. Corbin’s presence was also an admission by him of how far Guyana’s democracy has traveled. Putting aside the political differences, he must have been proud to have come from a country where the opposition is not now harassed, muzzled or treated with scorn.   

  Guyana’s leadership in building and nurturing democracy would have won the respect of the entire region. Also, it gives our country greater credibility in the international community. We are much more respected and can proudly represent and defend our dignity and pride.

            In fact, President Jagdeo’s mild objection to certain statements made at the Summit’s opening ceremony by the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister shows that while we deeply care about regional integration and strong relations with sister states, any inkling of eye-pass and disrespect will not be tolerated. The entire region had to look-up, listen and take careful note of what Guyana says and does now.

Further we can all speak up with one strong and united voice to ensure that Guyanese are no longer treated like social pariahs in certain CARICOM states. We must be reminded that no one should settle for anything less than being a proud and outstanding member of the CARICOM region.

            Significantly, the restoration of democracy in 1992 has allowed us to lift our heads higher. And the strides and even the pace-setter role for genuine democracy and people participation are earning us greater respect in CARICOM and wider afield.

            With every passing day, Guyana’s democracy matures and more people will be watching how we tap the opportunities presented by this, and many other positive features.    

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