Several human rights, environmental, and democratic organisations are calling on oil companies operating in Guyana to add their voices to the ongoing elections debacle over the legitimacy of the methodology used to count the votes for the largest district in Guyana. This matter is currently being hashed out in the High Court, as both Opposition and Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) lawyers seek to convince the Chief Justice (CJ) the validity of their claims.
“Against this backdrop of global concern for the legitimacy of the electoral process and the wellbeing of the Guyanese people, we note the deafening silence from the sector that has most exacerbated the recent political tensions in the country —the oil industry. This silence at a moment of profound national crisis provides stark evidence that oil companies are more concerned about the future of Guyana’s oil than the future of the nation and the people who own that oil,” the organisations said.
These international entities include: 350.org América Latina; Agora Association; Al-Haq – Law in the Service of Man; Amazon Watch; ATD Fourth World International Movement; Canopee Foundation
Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL); CAN-International; Climate Refugees; COESUS – Coalición Latino Americana contrael Fracking, por el clima, água y agricultura sostenible; Fast For the Climate; Global Energy Monitor; Global Witness; Instituto Arayara Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA); International Accountability Project (IAP); International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH); International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific (IWRAW AP); Oil Change International; Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change; and Pan African Media Alliance for Climate Change.
“We call on ExxonMobil and other oil companies operating in Guyana to follow the lead of the international community and declare clearly, and unequivocally, that they will only conduct business with a lawfully installed government,” the agencies noted.
The organisations also called on international financial institutions, including the World Bank, to lend its voice.
“We call on the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and all other financial bodies to join the international community in calling for a fair and transparent tabulation of the votes and the installation of the legitimately and democratically elected government. Our organizations are honored to join the international community in its support for that effort and for the Guyanese people. It is time for the oil industry and the global financial community to do the same,” the agencies said.
