The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) says it is not impressed with the Education Minister, Priya Manickchand and other officials of the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)’s “crocodile tears” over the remand of Daniel Wharton, called “Baby Skello”.
Wharton was remanded to prison on the charge of Blasphemous Libel, after releasing a song in which he depicted himself committing vulgar acts with the Hindu Goddess, Latchmie,
Manickchand took to social media soon after, saying that “the bench” needs to be consistent and sensible in its application of the law.
“We are jailing someone for mumbling or trying to sing something offensive against a female goddess – which was terrible and should never be encouraged or listened to and which I personally condemned – but failing to address speedily DV (domestic violence) matters where women are at the mercy of the court, failing to address matters of cyber bullying where women’s nude photographs are published online without their consent and other truly egregious crimes against women,” Manickchand, an attorney-at-law by profession said.
But APNU said that it is not impressed by Manickchand and other government officials’ comments, calling them “crocodile tears”.
“If they were genuinely concerned, as they claimed, let them be consistent and advocate within their own government to stop its repeated violations of human and democratic rights of citizens,” APNU said.
It added that the remand of Wharton comes at a time when the government is increasingly using repressive tactics to stifle the fundamental freedoms of expression, conscience, association, and peaceful assembly of citizens here and abroad.
“The government has, for instance, invoked anti-terrorism provisions to deal with common criminal offences, such as looting. It has attempted to silence overseas-based social media critics. It continues to intimidate its political opponents at home. It persists in attacking the free press,” the opposition party noted.
It added that it does not condone or encourage acts or expressions that wilfully offend or insult any group of Guyanese based on their religious beliefs but hasted to add that Wharton has since apologised.
“The decision to remand him to prison is, in any case, disproportionate and threatens our basic freedoms. Guyanese must continue to raise their voices in condemnation. Release Baby Skello now!” the party concluded.
