Georgetown : Prime Minister and First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo has clearly stated that the Coalition Government stands firmly in defending Guyana from acts of terrorism, and terrorists related activities.
It is against this background that the recent Anti-Terrorism and Terrorists Related Activities Bill 2015 was passed in the National Assembly. The Bill which seeks to criminalise terrorism and terrorists’ related activities was passed without the support of the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP). In a recent interview with GINA, the Prime Minister expressed his dismay at the reaction of the opposition to the Bill.
“I was aghast that the PPP under the chairmanship of Bharrat Jagdeo decided that they are not supporting the anti-terrorism law, because here was a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, the General Secretary of the PPP Clement Rohee who hails the law as progressive and at voting time they decided that they will be dumb,”Nagamootoo said.
The Prime Minister believes that such behaviour is irresponsible and can be misinterpreted and the wrong message be sent to terrorists.
“We are sending a message outside that we don’t intend to deal appropriately with terrorists so it weakens the nation, and for me, it is not a policy, it is not a strategy, it is just based on a (PPP) concept that whatever good that this government can do is worth sabotaging,” he stated.
The Prime Minister explained that his government is fully aware of the devastating impacts of terrorism on a country, and added that the activities are coming closer to home as there are reports of persons in the Caribbean who are joining terrorist groups to fight in other countries.
“So we wanted to send a strong signal that Guyana is not a haven for terrorists. You can’t come in Guyana and plan terrorist activities or execute terrorist activities or conspire and lead terrorist’s activities in Guyana without feeling the full weight of the law,” the Prime Minister warned.
The Bill was passed on December 30, 2015.
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