Dear Editor,
The Guyana Constitution defines the fundamental rights of all residents in this country and the overall structure of how the nation ought to operate. In that framework, there is a guarantee of the fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to life, liberty, and security, of the persons resident in Guyana. It has become apparent to me that Venezuelan migrant children are becoming particularly vulnerable to violence in our schools due to language barriers, cultural differences, and some plain old delinquent parenting practices. But what makes this nation different is one that celebrates its diversity—our people, our six races, our many religions, etc.
This matter of physically bringing harm to some of the Venezuelan students in Guyana, while I am told may be happening more often than not in reality and usually goes unreported, has now surfaced in the national newspapers a few times over the past six months. The last occasion was the Stabroek News of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, under an article captioned “Venezuelan brothers attacked by schoolmates…” at a West Demerara school.
We can do better as parents and as a collective people. We must remember that we have migrants in many places overseas too, who are our families and karma has a way of really balancing the scales of justice on these matters. I am appealing to all, let us all join hands to bring this irrationality to an end and open those very same hands to embrace and welcome these visitors to Guyana from Venezuela. They are a people running from a terror regime in the Bolivarian Republic, and if there is anything we as Guyanese can do, it is to give them a chance to recover and heal mentally from what they have experienced across the western border. These people have a choice: live in Guyana and eat, or go back to Venezuela and starve.
Our elders taught us the principles of how to treat visitors. Hinduism, which is a way of life that I personally adhere to, is known for its emphasis on hospitality (Atithi Devo Bhava, “The guest is God”). The bottom line – visitors are warmly welcomed. The United Nations (UN) also reinforces these principles of humanity with its universal framework of international laws and regulations aimed at protecting migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers who are in our country for reasons beyond their control. We have a duty as Guyanese people to seek to understand them, their ways, and slowly teach them our ways so we can live like global brothers and sisters for the short period of time that we are together.
There are global consequences for this country if these acts continue to occur since there are international conventions that protect migrants, and if we are spotlighted adversely for failing in our duty towards ensuring the rights of all human beings that reside in our society, there can be consequences. We all have a role to play to safeguard all residents in Guyana. Physically attacking Vene-zuelans in Guyana is not an option. As Guyanese people, our ancestors and foreparents were known for their hospitality, warmth, and commitment to the well-being of all around us. We have a history; we have a foundation; let us implement it, please.
Sincerely,
Sasenarine Singh
