November 11, 2014 – The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza, took note of Proclamation No. 1 of 2014, dated November 10, 2014, in which President Donald Ramotar prorogued the Tenth Parliament of Guyana with immediate effect for a maximum period of six months and observed that the prorogation of the Parliament of Guyana issued by President Ramotar has occurred within the framework of the country’s constitution.
The head of the hemispheric Organization said, “in a democracy, an efficient functioning of the Parliament allows for checks and balances and for the voice of the people to be heard.” He recalled that “since the last elections in November 2011, Guyana has had a split governance system with the executive controlled by one party and the combined opposition having the majority in Parliament.” In this context, Insulza said “this situation presents both challenges and opportunities for all parties in Guyana to work together for the greater good of the country.”
In light of this reality the Secretary General of the OAS urges both the governing and opposition political parties “to redouble their efforts to reach an understanding and compromise on the major political and socio-economic issues facing the country.”
Secretary General Insulza also expressed his hope “that parliamentary debate can be resumed in the 10th Parliament in the shortest possible period of time.”
