Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo condemned the inhumane treatment of Venezuelans in Guyana, stating clearly that Guyana will not be a country that promotes xenophobia.
Jagdeo’s statement was made at a press conference on Thursday, days after a video circulated on social media with Venezuelans being bullied while told to strip naked and altogether treated inhumanely.
And he said, “Over the past week, we’ve seen some reprehensible incidents targeting Venezuelans, totally reprehensible.
“I’ve seen one video that made my stomach turn.”
He added, “We are not going to be part of any movement to promote xenophobia in our country.”
Xenophobia refers to the dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.
Further, Jagdeo noted that many of the migrants in Guyana are believed to be Guyanese, or descendants or Guyanese, who migrated to Venezuela many years ago because they were fleeing hardships in Guyana. Regardless, he said they should be treated with respect.
“As refugees, they are entitled to the protection of the state.
“They’re economic migrants, you have to treat people with dignity,” he emphasised.
Jagdeo also said people must be treated with empathy and dignity, just as it is expected that Guyanese will be treated in other countries. He also feared that such xenophobic actions may result in retaliation.
Already, Ahmad Ally, a 37-year-old man from Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara was arrested by Police ranks after the video surfaced on social media showing two Venezuelans being bullied, told to strip naked and treated inhumanely.
Meanwhile, Jagdeo commented on the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela, noting that Guyana is resolute in its position that the 1899 Arbitral Award firmly established the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. And he said Guyana, with the support of regional and international partners, will continue to participate in the ongoing judicial process at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Totally agree with Jagdeo. Since when have Guyanese lost their common sense for the ordinary man irrespective of what country they’re from. As has been pointed out that a lot of Guyanese have gone to Venezuela, Suriname, Brazil and many other countries as economic migrant where they have established themselves and have families in those countries. If and when they decide to return to Guyana because of a change of fortune in their adopted lands then they have the right to do so. No man is to be treated with disrespect in an undignified manner, especially when we are not at war with anyone. So this has got to stop now. you wouldn’t like it if the boot was on the other foot, so stop this. Not a good look for Guyana and Guyanese. Remember, we are always viewed abroad for our nature of welcome and hospitality. So they few idiots who feel they must spoil our image have no place in our society.
Well put Sir……my thoughts exactly. The Venezuelans are going to annoy us with their referendum but it is not the ones living here.
Guyana has to balance its requisite humanitarian concerns for the plight of the influx of economic migrants as well as other dubious Maduro planted characters from Venezuela with the configuring of its its strategic response to the emerging threat to its territorial integrity and fixed boundary with Venezuela that these migrants may make more complex and less successful should Maduro embark upon his much touted plan to invade the Essequibo and annexe it as a part of the Venzuela. Their presence on the coastal areas of the Essequibo Region may become accessories for facilitating Maduro’s imperialist agenda, spying, leaving Trojan horses, serving as disguised advanced invasion parties and compromising Guyana’s position. This musty be resisted in the interest of the preservation and defense of Guyana’s continuing national and Guyana give give itself the benefit of any doubts about its security concerns and perhaps err on the side of reasonable caution.
If these migrants are to be accepted they must be located in the Courantyne area and as far as possible from the vulnerable Essequibo Region.
Guyana is being confronted with an existentialist threat of invasion and occupation from Venezuela to virtually cripple the country into poverty again and it is quite easy to understand where and to whom the economic Venees can and will pledge their loyalty in the face of this impending adversity even though Guyana has a manpower problem and shortage to drive its frenetic pace of economic development The Venees do bring a basic amount of skills that may be crucial for Guyana’s benefit but it must act judiciously and in its interest in forging a policy relating to the reception of refugees embarking and originating from a rogue state that is threatening Guyana’s very existence.