Black Immigrant Daily News

See full statement issued by Governance Minister Gail Teixeira 

APNU/AFC Coalition and Leader of the Opposition Norton’s Vicious Attacks on Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh (Chair of GECOM) Must be Stopped

The recent threats by the Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton on the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, may seem to be new, but in fact, Mr. Norton and his PNC/APNU/AFC Coalition have been attacking the GECOM Chair consistently since March 2020.

This coincides with when the Chairperson agreed to the recount of all the votes of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

These threats and verbal attacks expose a sinister plot to bully and intimidate a former Judge and the Chairperson of a constitutional body, the Guyana Elections Commission, one of the highest in the land which is established to protect the right of the Guyanese people to vote for a government of their choice in freely and fairly managed elections.

We should recall the threats to the Chairman’s life which were made on Facebook, seemingly over her handling of the March 2, 2020 elections, particularly the commission’s plans for a national recount. These were reported to the Guyana Police Force and the Cyber Crime Unit. One APNU supporter was charged under the Cybercrime Act.

Norton’s strategy has been exposed by non-other than Rickforde Burke on the December 3, 2021 programme of Sherod Duncan’s “In the Ring” where he is recorded saying: “…they are doing their level best to get a racist East Indian from the PPP to be installed as Chief Elections Officer. That’s what they’re doing and Claudette Singh is in bed with them. I think we should break up the Elections Commission. Bring everything to a halt. Grind government to a halt.”

Norton’s reckless statements such as “there are many things we can do to put the pressure on the elections commission and Claudette Singh…and so, we have left the door open. We hope we don’t have to close it and Claudette Singh will do the decent thing and resign,” and “…pressure her to resign or face unspecified action” need to be urgently investigated by the Guyana Police Force.

Madam Claudette Singh is a retired Judge and in other countries such as the USA, such threats are a criminal offence.

Clearly Mr. Norton, his party and the APNU+AFC Coalition have not deviated from these bullyism and intimidation tactics which we witnessed during the Granger administration.

Norton’s party’s legacy in particular, since its inception, has been one of bullyism, intimidation and violence. One should recall the misogynistic and racist attacks by Mr. Norton’s party and its supporters on four brave women during the five-months period of the post March 2, 2020 elections – Prime Minister Mia Mottley, US Ambassador H.E. Sarah Ann Lynch, Canadian High Commissioner H.E. Lilian Chatterjee, and GECOM Chair retired Justice Claudette Singh.

It cannot be coincidental that these women were vilified and threatened for their forthright support for constitutional rule of law and democracy. Mr. Norton and his party cannot accept any person that opposes their interest and stands in their way for their thirst for power, more so women daring to stand up for what is right. This is evident even within their own party in his abhorrent treatment as the newly elected leader of his party of former General Secretary, Amna Ally, a woman who served her party loyally for 53 years.

It is this mentality of bullyism and intimidation against women, in particular, that should make all women intuitively know that this is all too familiar; these are the components of domestic abuse and violence. The defenders of women’s rights are silent; known outspoken civil society organizations and influencers are silent – unfortunately in 2020 and now again in 2022.

Retired Justice Claudette Singh has loyally served her country for decades, she has guarded her integrity and her adherence to the constitution and rule of law. These threats are unacceptable in any civilized society and must not be allowed to continue without consequences.

The only way that “bully boy” Norton and his supporters will understand that Guyanese are a decent, respectful people who will not accept such threats, is if they feel their rejection of this cowardly behavior. Norton should remember the public reaction, even amongst his supporters, to his refusal to shake the outstretched hand of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

There is no indication that this “bully boy” intimidation behaviour will stop. It is time for

i. the Guyana Police Force take action to investigate these threats;ii. leaders of civil society and women’s rights organizations in particular, should comeout and call fowl on the misogynistic bullying of a woman, an outstanding Guyaneseand the GECOM Chair;iii. the diplomatic and international community to make known their concerns regardingthe safety of Justice Singh, and the efforts by Mr. Norton to destabilize the electoralprocess as he and the APNU/AFC Coalition tried in 2020.

I shall also be formally writing the diplomatic and international community with regards tothe targeting and threats to Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, Chairperson of the GuyanaElections Commission, and Norton’s dastardly plot to undermine GECOM and the electoralsystem in Guyana.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC), under the guidance of the National Flood Monitoring Taskforce, has responded to reports of inundation at Kaikan and other neighboring villages along the Cuyuni River in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

At least 100 persons residing along the Cuyuni River have been affected by the rising waters. Apart from Kaikan, communities such as Carboo, Rock Landing, Wenamu and Eteringbang were also affected. Flood Relief Supplies have been distributed to several areas via the Regional Authorities and the Guyana Defence Force, and more supplies are scheduled to be delivered there shortly.

The CDC has an assessment team in the Region working with the Regional Representatives to further assess the developing situation. Residents countrywide are encouraged to report all flood impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 or 226-1114 at any time. [Press Release]

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Editor

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File photo/Jeff Mayers

Matthew John, 36, of 36 Upper Bournes Road, St James, was shot and killed on Thursday night by unknown gunmen.

St James police responded to a report of gunshots at Bournes Road just after 8 pm. When they arrived they found a pool of blood and several spent shells.

Police learned that John and another unidentified man had been shot and had been taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital.

John died in hospital and the second victim is warded in a stable condition.

Investigations are ongoing.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Dear Editor,

The wisdom in the adage “Prevention is better than cure” is most timely to embrace at this time. I am saying this in regard to the Monkeypox disease that has now come upon Guyana. As was the levity of the populace when the COVID-19 struck, so may be the case with the Monkeypox, I fear.

Many in Guyana are taking a laid-back attitude. They even posit that Monkeypox is unlikely to cause a pandemic on the scale of COVID-19. However, we need to exercise medical sense, as the Monkeypox virus is still a force to be reckoned with, even though it is far more forgiving than that of the COVID-19, is less transmissible, and can be readily subdued by existing vaccines.

I see that Guyana is ready, as it is clear that planning has been ongoing. The news has it that “Monkeypox vaccines (are) due by September month end.” The Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, explained that “…the vaccines that protect against Monkeypox are in limited quantity globally. However, through an agreement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Guyana should receive some of these vaccines by the end of September.”

As I said, Guyana must not take any chance whatsoever. The mere fact that Government is putting in extra work to inoculate the vulnerable and infected people is enough reason for citizens to be cautious and cooperative.

Let us bear in mind, as the Minister pointed out, that indeed “There are very few medications that are currently available to treat the virus… (and currently) the United States is working on three different antiretrovirals that are in limited supply, and they are being used under emergency-use authorisation.”

However, what is good to note is that patients with Monkeypox are being treated based on their symptoms; that is, “The treatment for these persons when they get infected would be symptomatic; therefore, if they have fever, we’ll treat fever; if they have an enlarged lymph node, we’ll treat that,” the Minister detailed, and in all likelihood, patients’ recovery after treatment is realised within 14-21 days.

I posit here again the need to take all precautions, as, “Basically, monkeypox is transmitted from animals to humans. So, if there is an infected animal and a person comes in contact with them, it can get infected. So, that’s the first form of transmission.” “Simple…stay put in your corner if and when infected.”

I admonish all to be alert, as Monkeypox can become a national scourge that our healthcare providers and public health systems can very well be challenged with. So, with an aggressive, well-coordinated public-health campaign, we can be on top of the situation. As we learned from COVID-19, access to testing can mean the difference between a growing outbreak and a disease that can be promptly diagnosed, treated, and contained through isolation and contact tracing.

Stigma may also discourage people from coming forward. “Please be honest and compliant!”

Yours truly,H Singh

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