Freedom of expression and child abuse
The latest abuse of power by President Jagdeo is in the closing down of the CNS 6 TV Station for four months. This period includes the elections. Media operatives, political parties and other organisations have called for protests and vigils.
The TV Station is being sued for comments aired on one of its programmes against Mr Edghil. Mr Edghill has sued the station for libel. Some persons believe that the penalty is excessive, others believe there should be no penalty. Others believe that the timing is political since the CNS 6 gives voice to a range of people who have no access to other TV stations.
The owner of CNS 6, Mr Sharma is an icon for many in Guyana. His TV programming has given voice to many poor people and has highlighted many of the injustices faced by people. His TV programming has also been used to cuss up other groups in the society - Help & Shelter used to come in as a target.
Mr Sharma is also in court , on charges of child sexual abuse. Our justice system is not good when it comes to cases involving child sexual abuse, cases could take years and many times the child victims and their families are further traumatised by the lengthy proceedings. Recently, Mr Sharma has reportedly been unable to attend court appearances due to ill health.
Jail Kwame, Free Sharma
In September 2009, there were allegations made about child sexual abuse against another media operative, Mr Kwame McKoy who is a member of the PPP. The media operatives used their freedom of expression to ensure that this case was highlighted.. but then the story ended abruptly when the President asked the media for assistance to find the child.
The result is that the allegations have never been resolved properly and as happens with the child abuse in Guyana, the matter has become a joke especially for those who do not like Mr McKoy or his political party.
In April 2010, when the allegations surfaced about Mr Sharma, there was disbelief and a view that Mr Sharma was the victim of a system which did not mete out the same punishment to Mr McKoy. One of the things which I heard in the minibus on the day I decided to resign from the Rights of the Child Commission was 'Jail Kwame, free Sharma'.
It seems as though child abuse and domestic violence are political now.. that depending on which political party or hero we support or do not support, we will ignore those who are violated.
Freedom of expression and Child Abuse
Some of those who are active in the protests against the violation of the freedom of expression have said that we should separate Mr Sharma from his TV station and the issue of his court matter.
That is the explanation we in Guyana have as we support the enterprises of those who have been accused (and sometimes convicted) of child abuse and domestic violence. I have also been accused of being a child molester. Some persons have mocked the protests in which I participated against child sexual abuse.
I hope that the National Assembly will one day convene the tribunal as stated in the Constitution to deal with the allegations against Mr McKoy and that the child involved is safe. I hope that Mr Sharma's health allows him to go to court when needed. I also hope that the justice system will ensure that the case would be resolved and that the children do not suffer as a result of the delays.
While the matters are pending, I will not be supporting any enterprise which involves Mr Sharma, Mr McKoy or any other person who is being accused of molesting children and who have matters which could be resolved through our legal system.
I will not support any activity of the Ministry of Human Services which involves children until they resolve the allegations against their representative on the Rights of the Child Commission.
I would expect that others would do the same to me should I be charged with child abuse. The abuse of a child's rights is not a joke, or a weapon for political humiliation. There should be no picking and choosing of who to morally or legally sanction.
The TV Station is being sued for comments aired on one of its programmes against Mr Edghil. Mr Edghill has sued the station for libel. Some persons believe that the penalty is excessive, others believe there should be no penalty. Others believe that the timing is political since the CNS 6 gives voice to a range of people who have no access to other TV stations.
The owner of CNS 6, Mr Sharma is an icon for many in Guyana. His TV programming has given voice to many poor people and has highlighted many of the injustices faced by people. His TV programming has also been used to cuss up other groups in the society - Help & Shelter used to come in as a target.
Mr Sharma is also in court , on charges of child sexual abuse. Our justice system is not good when it comes to cases involving child sexual abuse, cases could take years and many times the child victims and their families are further traumatised by the lengthy proceedings. Recently, Mr Sharma has reportedly been unable to attend court appearances due to ill health.
Jail Kwame, Free Sharma
In September 2009, there were allegations made about child sexual abuse against another media operative, Mr Kwame McKoy who is a member of the PPP. The media operatives used their freedom of expression to ensure that this case was highlighted.. but then the story ended abruptly when the President asked the media for assistance to find the child.
The result is that the allegations have never been resolved properly and as happens with the child abuse in Guyana, the matter has become a joke especially for those who do not like Mr McKoy or his political party.
In April 2010, when the allegations surfaced about Mr Sharma, there was disbelief and a view that Mr Sharma was the victim of a system which did not mete out the same punishment to Mr McKoy. One of the things which I heard in the minibus on the day I decided to resign from the Rights of the Child Commission was 'Jail Kwame, free Sharma'.
It seems as though child abuse and domestic violence are political now.. that depending on which political party or hero we support or do not support, we will ignore those who are violated.
Freedom of expression and Child Abuse
Some of those who are active in the protests against the violation of the freedom of expression have said that we should separate Mr Sharma from his TV station and the issue of his court matter.
That is the explanation we in Guyana have as we support the enterprises of those who have been accused (and sometimes convicted) of child abuse and domestic violence. I have also been accused of being a child molester. Some persons have mocked the protests in which I participated against child sexual abuse.
I hope that the National Assembly will one day convene the tribunal as stated in the Constitution to deal with the allegations against Mr McKoy and that the child involved is safe. I hope that Mr Sharma's health allows him to go to court when needed. I also hope that the justice system will ensure that the case would be resolved and that the children do not suffer as a result of the delays.
While the matters are pending, I will not be supporting any enterprise which involves Mr Sharma, Mr McKoy or any other person who is being accused of molesting children and who have matters which could be resolved through our legal system.
I will not support any activity of the Ministry of Human Services which involves children until they resolve the allegations against their representative on the Rights of the Child Commission.
I would expect that others would do the same to me should I be charged with child abuse. The abuse of a child's rights is not a joke, or a weapon for political humiliation. There should be no picking and choosing of who to morally or legally sanction.
Hear hear-- I support your moral outrage - it seems to be cherry-picking on issues-- ironic that those assembling for Sharma don't delve into his possible nefarious activities!
ReplyDeletei don't this thing is abt CN, this abt the abuse of the freedom of expression
ReplyDeleteThanks for your contribution to the issue. But having clearly separated the action of the president from the allegations against the TV station owner by admitting that Jagdeo has abused his power once again, what advice for right action of citizens can you give?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAny citizen who feels that their right to freedom of expression has been violated at any time should seek redress through the sustained protest, and the courts if necessary.
ReplyDelete