Controversy Surrounds ‘One Guyana’ Slogan on New Guyana Passports

The Government of Guyana faces criticism for using the slogan “One Guyana” on passports, deemed by the Opposition as a threat to democracy and institutional integrity. Opposition MP Walton-Desir argues that this act blurs the lines between party and state, potentially violating international passport design standards. She calls for citizens to oppose such politicization of official documents, highlighting a trend towards authoritarianism in governance.

The Government of Guyana is facing scrutiny from both the Opposition and various citizens for featuring the political slogan “One Guyana” in the latest batch of passports. Opposition Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir has criticized this act as an indication of the administration’s drift towards a one-party state, emphasizing that a passport should represent all citizens equally and remain free from political markings.

Walton-Desir further stated, “A passport is not a Party manifesto; it is a sovereign document of our nation.” She condemned the Government’s decision to imprint a political slogan onto passports, arguing that this action undermines democratic values and erodes institutional impartiality. She claimed that the subjects of political propaganda should not contaminate the national identity shared among all citizens, regardless of their political views.

Moreover, she expressed concerns that this approach could contravene international guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which advocate for neutrality in such documents. Walton-Desir reminded that ICAO documentation clearly prohibits the incorporation of partisan messages into official materials such as passports.

The Opposition MP highlighted that this development is indicative of a larger pattern, noting previous instances, including law enforcement and public servant uniforms displaying the same slogan. She discussed the dangers of utilizing state resources for political branding, alarming signs of authoritarianism threatening democratic structures.

Walton-Desir believes that the current Government’s actions have reversed critiques launched against the previous administration regarding the use of state properties for political purposes. She urged citizens and the international community to be vigilant and resist such politicization of state resources, which she argued dilutes national identity in favor of party loyalty.

The inclusion of the “One Guyana” slogan in the new Guyana passports has drawn significant backlash from the Opposition and the public, signaling a critical examination of government practices concerning national identity and state resources. Concerns revolve around the potential erosion of democratic norms and whether such actions violate international standards for passport design. Calls for vigilance and resistance to political branding in governmental institutions underscore the need for maintaining the integrity of national symbols against partisan influences.

Original Source: newssourcegy.com