U.S. Congresswoman, Yvette Clarke is now on the receiving end of sharp criticism from Guyana’s Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, over comments she allegedly made regarding the detention of Guyanese social media activist, Melissa “Melly Mel” Atwell, by U.S. authorities.
Atwell was arrested earlier this month by Homeland Security, sources confirmed, and is being held at a facility run by the US immigration body.
Statements attributed to Clarke indicate that she met with Atwell some time ago and acknowledged her fears of persecution if deported to Guyana.
She was quoted by “Credible Sources”, a Facebook page believed to be run by opposition members, during an interview she had with Mark Benschop, a known critic of the ruling Guyanese administration.
“I have heard about this matter. As a matter of fact, I had the honour of meeting this young woman and this is a travesty. There’s no doubt in my mind that it is a travesty,” Clarke was quoted as saying by “Credible Sources”.
Nandlall has since taken umbrage to the comment. During his weekly “Issues in the News” programme, he spoke about what he deems to be the “real travesty”.
“What is a travesty is the way that she has concluded a particular matter and arrived at a judgment call by only hearing one side. That is what a travesty is,” Nandlall said.
He continued, “She condemns the Government of Guyana and is critical of it without being equipped with the material facts and without offering the Government of Guyana the facility of a response or even a hearing.”
Nandlall said that Clarke should be apprised of the “hundreds, if not thousands” of Guyanese, unconnected with the government, including women, whose characters, reputations, standings, and careers were “irreparably damaged and destroyed by Atwell”.
“Did Miss Clarke hear the voices of those people? No, she didn’t. Did she hear the voice of the young lady who is currently circulating on Facebook, explaining that her brother committed suicide because of what Atwell published about him? She doesn’t know about those things?” Nandlall quizzed.
“What is a travesty, Miss Clarke, is your approach to this whole matter,” Nandlall remarked.
