AFC Media Release, Nov 14
The Harassment and Intimidation of Dr Tarron Khemraj and other Political Persons
The Alliance for Change (AFC) condemns the recent harassment at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) of Dr Tarron Khemraj, who is the Economic Advisor to the AFC. Dr Khemraj, along with Dr Maurice Odle, who is associated with the WPA and APNU and was also harassed, were on their way to the 44th Annual Monetary Studies Conference hosted by the Central Bank of Suriname. They were informed that because of their political activities their names were placed on a list.
Dr Khemraj has been experiencing this harassment for a few years now, ever since his association with the AFC. The PPP even went as far as to call Dr Khemraj’s place of employment in the United Sates in an effort to get him fired. That the harassment continues to today, again clearly shows the Ramotar regime has no interest in differentiating itself from its predecessor, the Jagdeo regime. Ramotar, it is argued by some, comes from the tradition of Cheddi Jagan, but that he allows this behaviour at the airport named after Dr Jagan shows that he is now firmly under the foreboding shadow of Bharrat Jagdeo.
Another high-profile case in point is that of political commentator, Freddie Kissoon. His harassment not only entails being called ugly names and pettiness such as not having his road fixed and trench cleaned, but also physical violence that spans both the Jagdeo and Ramotar regimes.
All this occurred too, under the watch of the PPP’s “best” Minister, Clement Rohee. As if his litany of failure in dealing with crime (particularly narco-crime), security (including failing to protect innocent citizens in the recent Agricola protests), crowd control (the infamous water cannon and murder of three Lindeners during the protests there) and the deplorable and tragic traffic situation, is not enough. How telling it is that Ramotar continues to express confidence in this Minister inherited from Jagdeo.
The PPP loves to speak of progress. However, today it has become an embodiment of Orwell’s tale, Animal Farm, and ranks among the most corrupt, backward, racist, repressive and oppressive regimes in this region.