Hamandeo was a victim of discrimination

Dear Editor, I wish to make two things clear: first, I have never met Haimraj Hamandeo and secondly, I do not know him personally or otherwise. What I do know now is that after reading about his saga in SN of June 19, any fair-minded person would conclude that he is a victim of political discrimination.

The experiences of the Hamandeos of this world, which are of great human interest rarely catch the attention of the speculative media. They are but another manifestation of human suffering, a painful chapter in the lives of many young Guyanese professionals who want to serve their country in positions for which they are suitably qualified, but are denied the right to do so by a vengeful and insensitive administration.

The APNU+AFC likes to pride itself on upholding the constitutional rights of Guyanese citizens, yet its persistent deceptive praxis proves otherwise.

Article 149 (b) Cap 1:01 of the Constitution states: “No person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of any public office or any public authority”. Further, Article 149A states: “No person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his or her right to work, that is to say, the right to free choice of employment.”

In Mr Hamandeo’s case, these two rights have been violated. His case should be taken to the Constitutional Court and the Bar Association should associate itself with the case as an amicus curiae.

Moreover, within the meaning of the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, direct approaches should be made to the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner to put the case of discrimination, and the commission should be written to inviting them to Guyana to investigate the complaint. This matter has gone beyond the reaches of the Government of Guyana since it is the government and/or its agents who are the perpetrators of these unconstitutional acts.

In the circumstances and in the public interest these acts of discrimination should not disappear from the pages of the media. It is more the moral principles and constitutional breaches that matter rather than the individual. Yours faithfully, Clement J Rohee