Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall found himself in hot water last Tuesday over a Facebook post, in which he called two sitting judges “bias” and suggested that they be “defrocked” following a ruling of the Court of Appeal in the appeal of the decision of the Hon. Chief Justice, Madam Roxane George in the Elections Petition matter No. 99 of 2020. His post has since been condemned by opposition political parties, the Bar Council of the Bar Association, and other factions of society.
The Bar Council said that while Judges and their decisions are not immune from criticism, it is expected that those in leadership positions, particularly those who are part of the Executive and or exercising executive power, such as Dharamlall, “ought to be responsible in their comments.”
“The Hon. Minister’s aforesaid comments are not befitting an office of the executive. In the premises, the said comments ought to be properly and immediately withdrawn,” the council said.
Dharamlall has since edited his comment by removing two sentences: “Their bias is obvious. They should be defrocked”.
The Minister, however, in subsequent posts, alluded to previous criticisms made by Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon earlier this year about a similar elections petition ruling.
In his most recent post on the issue, Dharamlall said that he will be critical, noting that it is his democratic right “fortified by the Constitution of Guyana”.
“In a democracy, no one in any branch of Government is insulated from criticism unless they see themselves as kings/queens reigning over us the minions. But those days are gone for we have destroyed the dictatorship that we will never allow to return. I rest my case. #FreeSpeech #HereToStay ONE LOVE!!!”
