I call for the immediate release of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed.
His office is not merely personal or political; it is a constitutional office on behalf of the people of Guyana. An opposition leader cannot and must not be absent from the running of a country. He has an office to uphold, a government to scrutinize, an opposition to lead, a constituency to serve, and a democratic right to respect the constitutional institutions. His immediate release and ability to fulfil his responsibilities must remain a matter of national importance.
As I take my place as a Member of Parliament in the 13th Parliament of Guyana, I am privileged and honoured, but I wish to remain focus on the crucial matters at hand – the unjust and continued persecuted detention of our Opposition Leader and the complete erosion of democracy in our country. Being a Member of Parliament is more than a title, a position or a privilege, it is a duty to represent, to contest, to question and, above all, to serve.
Let me be very clear: I am not here to create a political dynasty. I am not here to remove or overtake anyone or to pursue family political agenda. I am here to do my job as a representative of the constitution, and I am here to fight for all Guyanese.
I will not apologise for accepting the responsibility which I believe to be a duty to my country. Nor should assumptions about my family judge my contributions. I have my own record and responsibilities—of scholarship, of work, politics, advocacies and aspirations. I wish to create my own record and that relies on the work I do at Parliament.
I have a First Class Honours in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University. I also have a MLitt with Merit in Global Social and Political Thought from the University of St Andrews. My research interests include the political accountability, corruption, postcolonial governance, social justice & power structures in our societies.
My experience working in journalism, documentary production, governmental organisations, research and advocacy, serves to fortify my desire for substantive knowledge, for amplifying the voice of the marginalised and for mounting constant accountability on those in power.
I am honoured to be the Shadow Minister of Natural Resources with a portfolio of great national responsibility. At a moment in time like no other in the life of Guyana’s economy, in an era of transforming oil and gas, we need to be mindful of how we manage our natural wealth, who are the beneficiaries, and the legacy we leave behind for our children and future generations.
At heart, I am an environmentalist. I am adamant that economic development should never come at the cost of protecting the environment. As custodians, we owe it to ourselves and coming generations to see our forests, rivers, bio-diversity and Indigenous communities protected as our heritage.
I will scrutinize, I will ask the hard questions, challenge government decisions, and demand accountability and hold ministers to account. No ministry should escape being challenged, and no public office holder should feel that he or she is above accountability.
I am all too familiar with the criticisms of family in politics; some call it family affair and others call it building a political dynasty. Family connections in politics is not new to the political makeup of Guyana, nor is it unique to any country. Political families have been a part of our own political history as well as in Canada, the United States of America, India, Singapore and Jamaica.
A surname does not confer competence, just as having a family connection does not disqualify you from public service. My brother and I may share a family, but I am responsible for my own decisions, voice and actions. I welcome scrutiny, criticisms, hard questions and accountability however, do not judge me by my name, judge me by my work, policies and performance.
My brother and I both bear a family name, but we are also both patriotic. We share a mutual love for our country. We want what is best for our country, and we want to see Guyana reach its full potential. That should not be an excuse to dismiss our contributions before they even have a chance to be seen. Democracy is not about who you are related to. It is about who you are, whom you serve and what it is that you can bring into the equation.
Like the admirable Leader of the Opposition, my parliamentary salary will support the Guyanese citizens who are struggling to survive in an oil-boom economy. The hard work of ordinary families cannot match the enormous prosperity we are belching out in our nation. Too many, quite frankly, are still struggling to afford basic household necessities.
Leadership must not end at the parliamentary chamber. It must be reflected in how we treat people, how we respond to their struggles and how willing we are to stand up for those who need support.
My service in Parliament cannot be limited to speeches, titles and political office. I want to be accessible, to listen, learn and to make a real difference in the lives of average Guyanese.
I am proud to be the youngest of the political leaders of Guyana's parliament and potentially this hemisphere. I know I have a lot to learn, but I see an opportunity not only to give young people a voice, but to give young people the opportunity to play a role in determining the future of their country.
I want young girls to know that they too can be in the rooms where the important decisions are made. I want young people to understand that public service is not for any one age, gender or any one background.
I do so humbly, but humility must never be confused with weakness. I will be respectful, but I will not be cowed. I will listen, but I will not be afraid. I welcome criticism but will never compromise those ideals which brought me into public life.
I love my country. I believe in its people, its potential, and its future possibilities. I want a Guyana where our natural wealth creates opportunities for all, where institutions are respected, where public office is accountable and where no citizen feels left behind.
I do not claim to have all the answers. I can only promise to be there, to do the work, to ask the tough questions, and not to lose sight of the people I serve. I will follow in the footsteps of my brother and my loyalty lies with Guyana. My commitment is to its people. I am fighting for a better future for all.
And whatever the criticism, whatever the pressure, I will keep saying: FREE AZRUDDIN MOHAMED, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION NOW! RESPECT HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND ALLOW HIM TO PERFORM HIS DUTIES AS THE PEOPLE OF GUYANA DEMAND.
His office is not merely personal or political; it is a constitutional office on behalf of the people of Guyana. An opposition leader cannot and must not be absent from the running of a country. He has an office to uphold, a government to scrutinize, an opposition to lead, a constituency to serve, and a democratic right to respect the constitutional institutions. His immediate release and ability to fulfil his responsibilities must remain a matter of national importance.
As I take my place as a Member of Parliament in the 13th Parliament of Guyana, I am privileged and honoured, but I wish to remain focus on the crucial matters at hand – the unjust and continued persecuted detention of our Opposition Leader and the complete erosion of democracy in our country. Being a Member of Parliament is more than a title, a position or a privilege, it is a duty to represent, to contest, to question and, above all, to serve.
Let me be very clear: I am not here to create a political dynasty. I am not here to remove or overtake anyone or to pursue family political agenda. I am here to do my job as a representative of the constitution, and I am here to fight for all Guyanese.
I will not apologise for accepting the responsibility which I believe to be a duty to my country. Nor should assumptions about my family judge my contributions. I have my own record and responsibilities—of scholarship, of work, politics, advocacies and aspirations. I wish to create my own record and that relies on the work I do at Parliament.
I have a First Class Honours in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University. I also have a MLitt with Merit in Global Social and Political Thought from the University of St Andrews. My research interests include the political accountability, corruption, postcolonial governance, social justice & power structures in our societies.
My experience working in journalism, documentary production, governmental organisations, research and advocacy, serves to fortify my desire for substantive knowledge, for amplifying the voice of the marginalised and for mounting constant accountability on those in power.
I am honoured to be the Shadow Minister of Natural Resources with a portfolio of great national responsibility. At a moment in time like no other in the life of Guyana’s economy, in an era of transforming oil and gas, we need to be mindful of how we manage our natural wealth, who are the beneficiaries, and the legacy we leave behind for our children and future generations.
At heart, I am an environmentalist. I am adamant that economic development should never come at the cost of protecting the environment. As custodians, we owe it to ourselves and coming generations to see our forests, rivers, bio-diversity and Indigenous communities protected as our heritage.
I will scrutinize, I will ask the hard questions, challenge government decisions, and demand accountability and hold ministers to account. No ministry should escape being challenged, and no public office holder should feel that he or she is above accountability.
I am all too familiar with the criticisms of family in politics; some call it family affair and others call it building a political dynasty. Family connections in politics is not new to the political makeup of Guyana, nor is it unique to any country. Political families have been a part of our own political history as well as in Canada, the United States of America, India, Singapore and Jamaica.
A surname does not confer competence, just as having a family connection does not disqualify you from public service. My brother and I may share a family, but I am responsible for my own decisions, voice and actions. I welcome scrutiny, criticisms, hard questions and accountability however, do not judge me by my name, judge me by my work, policies and performance.
My brother and I both bear a family name, but we are also both patriotic. We share a mutual love for our country. We want what is best for our country, and we want to see Guyana reach its full potential. That should not be an excuse to dismiss our contributions before they even have a chance to be seen. Democracy is not about who you are related to. It is about who you are, whom you serve and what it is that you can bring into the equation.
Like the admirable Leader of the Opposition, my parliamentary salary will support the Guyanese citizens who are struggling to survive in an oil-boom economy. The hard work of ordinary families cannot match the enormous prosperity we are belching out in our nation. Too many, quite frankly, are still struggling to afford basic household necessities.
Leadership must not end at the parliamentary chamber. It must be reflected in how we treat people, how we respond to their struggles and how willing we are to stand up for those who need support.
My service in Parliament cannot be limited to speeches, titles and political office. I want to be accessible, to listen, learn and to make a real difference in the lives of average Guyanese.
I am proud to be the youngest of the political leaders of Guyana's parliament and potentially this hemisphere. I know I have a lot to learn, but I see an opportunity not only to give young people a voice, but to give young people the opportunity to play a role in determining the future of their country.
I want young girls to know that they too can be in the rooms where the important decisions are made. I want young people to understand that public service is not for any one age, gender or any one background.
I do so humbly, but humility must never be confused with weakness. I will be respectful, but I will not be cowed. I will listen, but I will not be afraid. I welcome criticism but will never compromise those ideals which brought me into public life.
I love my country. I believe in its people, its potential, and its future possibilities. I want a Guyana where our natural wealth creates opportunities for all, where institutions are respected, where public office is accountable and where no citizen feels left behind.
I do not claim to have all the answers. I can only promise to be there, to do the work, to ask the tough questions, and not to lose sight of the people I serve. I will follow in the footsteps of my brother and my loyalty lies with Guyana. My commitment is to its people. I am fighting for a better future for all.
And whatever the criticism, whatever the pressure, I will keep saying: FREE AZRUDDIN MOHAMED, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION NOW! RESPECT HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND ALLOW HIM TO PERFORM HIS DUTIES AS THE PEOPLE OF GUYANA DEMAND.