Creeping erosion of democratic values in Guyana

Mar 19, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

The detention of Guyanese human rights activist and citizen reporter Mellisa Ann Atwell, popularly known as Melly Mel, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sparked outrage and concern among Guyanese at home and in the diaspora. Yet, while the spotlight is on her situation, we must also turn inward and examine the state of our own democracy. There is an unsettling parallel between the authoritarian tactics that saw Dr. Cheddi Jagan imprisoned decades ago and the creeping erosion of democratic values we see today in Guyana.

Dr. Jagan, a man of the people and a champion of democracy, was arrested in the 1950s for standing against colonial oppression. His imprisonment was not just an attack on him personally but an attack on free speech, workers’ rights, and the aspirations of an entire nation. Today, as we observe political developments in Guyana, one must ask: Have we truly moved past those days, or have we simply changed the faces of those in power while maintaining a system that silences dissent and rewards blind loyalty?

The fundamental pillars of democracy—free speech, press freedom, fair elections, and the protection of citizens’ rights—are under attack. The recent threats against journalists, the manipulation of state resources for political gain, and the subtle yet clear marginalization of opposing voices indicate a country where democracy is becoming more of a façade than a functioning system. Those who speak out are branded as enemies, while those who toe the line are rewarded.

Ironically, Cheddi Jagan’s Party and its supporters are the ones who are happy that Melly Mel is arrested. Mellisa Ann Atwell’s case has exposed the vulnerability of Guyanese citizens abroad, but what of those who suffer injustices at home? The arbitrary application of the law, the widening gap between the privileged few and the struggling many, and the increasing use of state power to suppress opposing views are all red flags. It is ironic that while Guyanese express concern about how the U.S. government treats one of our own, many fail to see the undemocratic tendencies right before us in our own country.

Democracy is not just about elections; it is about the protection of rights, the fair treatment of all citizens, and a system where power is held accountable. Guyana is at a crossroads, and unless we actively defend our democratic principles, we may find ourselves in a future where the ideals that Jagan fought for become nothing more than a historical footnote.

#FreeMellisaAnnAtwell

Sincerely,

B. Rajkumar

(Creeping erosion of democratic values in Guyana )

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1950s, colonial oppression., Guyanese at home, imprisonment, Mellisa Ann Atwell

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