Civil society groups worried over political situation

A range of Civil Society organisations met yesterday and expressed their deep concern over the current political situation in the aftermath of the December 21st no-confidence motion against the APNU+AFC government.

A statement from the groups said that the meeting recognised that President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo will be meeting today and welcomed their expressed commitment to working together for the benefit of all of Guyana.

The civil society meeting also noted that Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana establishes the Government as “an inclusive democracy…for the participation of citizens and their organisations in the management and decision making process of the State” and asks that their voices be heard accordingly.

In attendance at the meeting were:

Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc Guyana Trades Union Congress

Guyana Public Service Union

Federation of Independent Trades Unions of Guyana RISE Guyana

Guyana Bar Association

Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana Citizens’ Initiative

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union Red Thread

Roman Catholic Church Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana Private Sector Commission

Since the passage of the motion after APNU+AFC MP Charrandass Persaud voted with the PPP/C, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has called on the Cabinet to resign in accordance with the constitution. The government has declined to do this and has mounted several legal challenges to the motion of no-confidence, the passage of which was upheld by Speaker of the National Dr Barton Scotland last Thursday.