Demonstrations: Anti-government and pro-government-- A key feature of democracy is the absence of violence. Any social, economic, and political aspirations must be realized by way peaceful means. In a country where democracy is being upheld, the state must allow its citizens to express their views and aspirations. This is a principal right enshrined in the Belize Constitution. In this context any form of opposition must not resort to violence. In a country where democracy works properly, the relationship between peaceful demonstration or opposition and policy changes is clear. Almost always, the opposition (protesters), especially if a large number of people are involved, will bring about revisions in the policy or other changes. It is said that in such a country, demonstrations represent public apprehensions that office holders — both in the executive and legislative branches of power need to take seriously. This is because it is public support that has put politicians in office. Disregarding public sentiments will only encourage voters to support another party in the next election. Therefore, democracy requires a system of checks and balances. In the legislative branch of government, the function of this system is undertaken by members of parliament (the House of Representatives) to ensure that the executive branch does not exceed the Constitution’s limits, and to ensure governmental policies serve the public interest. Note that the very concept and establishment of the separation of powers in the Constitution is for limiting government power and authority, and to provide for checks and balances. Outside the legislature, the check-and-balance system enters the public domain. Any policies that are perceived as not being in the interest of the public will be opposed if you have vigilance on behalf of the citizenry. Demonstration is one form of this opposition. Public pressure is intended to influence the administration and lawmakers to generate policy change. There are countries where democracy is still in transition, where political anomalies still exist, where democracy is only preached but not practiced and there is no correlation between peaceful demonstrations and policy changes. In these countries, peaceful demonstrations have been allowed simply out of lip service to the articles and clauses of the Constitution. Public demands rarely are sufficient to compel the government to reconsider and eventually change its policies or decisions. The government’s philosophy on allowing the public to stage peaceful demonstrations has always been to “let the dogs bark, and the caravan will continue to pass”. This type of government tactic or rather, democratic gimmick is well understood by the public. That is why the opposition and the pubic often fail to hold peaceful demonstrations for they feel that such efforts will be ineffective. So, to make their voices heard, to ensure that their demands are met, and make certain that the government and lawmakers genuinely represent the public’s interest, demonstrations inevitably involve some degree of violence. Therefore, until democracy is practiced adequately, there is no value, no moral basis, in asking the public to carry out peaceful demonstrations. There is no point in only letting the dogs bark. In this unusual democratic state, often the dogs need to bite. (Adopted from essays by the Dean of the University of Jakarta, Indonesia.) -Wikipedia defines Government-organized demonstrations or state demonstrations as demonstrations which are organized by the government of that nation. The Islamic Republic of Iran, the Peoples Republic of China, Republic of Cuba, Kirchnerist Argentina, the Soviet Union, Fascist Italy, and Nazi Germany among other nations, have had government-organized demonstrations. In Iran, demonstrations such as the anniversary of Islamic revolution, are organized by government. In the past, people at these demonstrations have chanted Down with Israel and Death to America . The North Korean government regularly organizes demonstrations against South Korea or the US or in support of government policies. -- In Venezuela, government organized demonstrations have included the petroleum workers in protest against perceived US interference. Another Pro-government demonstration was a protest where the Venezuelan government accused the US of trying to destabilize its government. In Belize, the UDP government of Dean Barrow is organizing a Pro-government demonstration in Belmopan against the complaint “claim” brought against Dean Barrow and the UDP by the opposition PUP in regards to the illegal spending of more than 114.3 million dollars from the Alba Petro-Caribe funds from Venezuela up to October 2014. Additionally, the claims seeks to halt any further spending. The UDP government will spend hundreds of thousands of Public monies to canvas the people (house to house campaign), bus in, feed and pay people to participate in this demonstration scheduled for November 17, 2014. The Prime Minister will play with people’s mind and try to let the people feel that the opposition PUP is against the infrastructural spending that supposedly should be making life better in Belize. What the PM will not tell the people is that he himself brought forth the need and claims to champion the need for accountability and transparency, and thus about changes to the Public Accounts Act to give more transparency and accountability of the spending of the People’s money— which he himself is now refusing to comply. What the PM will do is to divert attention from the real facts, “the spending of more than 114.3 million plus” from the Petro Caribe funds through an Executive (Cabinet) decision rather than a legislative decision. How the UDP intend to get the people to Belmopan: In San Ignacio, Santa Elena and surrounding villages, the UDP has set up their machinery. UDP paid persons by the dozens are on a house to house campaign informing the people about the demonstration. Who are the principal targets? The UDP is vicious. The UDP is cold. The UDP is calculating and treacherous. Several people have informed us that they have been approached and not asked to participate but have been told in no uncertain terms that they MUST participate or their government assistance (Student grant, Pantry programme assistance, Boost programme assistance) will be terminated. A few employees of the government have informed us that they have been threatened in losing their jobs if they do not ride the bus to Belmopan and participate in the demonstration on that day. While the definition of pro-government demonstration by Wikipedia clearly shows State demonstrations against a foreign threat or perceived threat, the Dean Barrow State demonstration is overstepping its bounds in attempting to interfere in the Opposition’s rights, the public’s sentiments and to disrupt ‘Public pressure,’ which, as stated earlier, is intended to influence the administration and lawmakers to generate policy change. Belize is gradually being driven into an Authoritarian state as demonstrated by the Dean Barrow’s Political pluralism and now repressive tactics against the Opposition PUP, the Unions, Chamber of Commerce etc. and via the prohibition of anti-UDP regime activity. This UDP administration has become imperious and engaged in the practice of despotism. Arise ye sons of the Baymen’s clan, put On your Armour, Clear the land, Drive back the TYRANTS, Let DESPOTS Flee………….
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 04:09:18 +0000
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