The Board of Directors and general membership of the New York-based Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) voted unanimously on Monday to revoke the Democracy Prize it had awarded Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves in 2005, a press release said.
Gonsalves is the current chairman of CARICOM.
The decision was taken Monday night at a public town hall meeting Monday night, with an online viewership of over 55,000 and 120 members and supporters in attendance, the release said.
Gonsalves was awarded the prize at an extravagant ceremony in 2005 at which then Leader of the British House of Lords, Baroness Valerie Amos was keynote speaker.
“The move is yet another fallout from Gonsalves’ controversial role in the Guyana elections. Gonsalves has backed Guyana’s opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which claimed it won the March 2, 2020 for which there are no declared results. The declaration process has been hamstrung by multiple court challenges. The Guyana Court of Appeal is expected to rule on the matter Thursday,” the CGID said.
The release said that the Vincentian leader has angered Guyanese by claiming that the incumbent APNU+AFC lost the elections and that Granger should “take his licks like a man,” and give up power.
CGID President, Burke, said Gonsalves’ comments were undignified and unbecoming of a head of government.
He accused Gonsalves of regurgitating PPP propaganda adding that the prime minister was being “pugnacious, because article 106 (7) of the constitution mandates that an incumbent government only demits office when a president has been sworn in pursuant to an election,” the press release said.
“No elections results or winner have been declared. No president has been installed. Mr. Gonsalves, like the PPP, apparently wants President David Granger to demit office and leave the country governless? His comments are irresponsible and outrageous,” Burke said.
The motion to revoke the Democracy Prize was moved by CGID board member, Jason Benjamin, a past president of the University of Guyana Student Association.
It was seconded by another board member, Michelle Luard, a New York educator. The motion accused Gonsalves of violating the standards of democracy as required by the Charter of the Prize to which he was obligated.
Recipients of the prize must continuously promote and/or practice accepted standards of democracy as outlined in the Protocol of the Prize, the release said.
The Protocol says awardees must engage in programmes and policies that strengthen human freedoms and dignity through the democratic ideal; work consistently to ensure that each person enjoys the right to select their own elected representatives; practice and encourage the democratic values promulgated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the face of government, opposition or private resistance; promote good governance, social justice, equal opportunity for all and national development.
They are required to foster a harmonious, open society in which there is equal rights for all and in which the rule of law is maintained and upheld; to ensure the human rights of all citizens are fully respected and that free speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and freedom of association are protected, and ensure that the poor and underprivileged are respected and cared for.
The motion stated that Gonsalves violated the principles of democracy and the terms of the prize by interfering in the elections in Guyana in an egregious and partisan manner to help one side rather than act as an intermediary to help bring about an amicable and just solution.
It contended that in an editorial published in St. Vincent, Guyana and around the Caribbean, titled “A personal Editorial,” Gonsalves “fanned the flames of racism; using inciting and incendiary language.”
The Board mandated Burke to communicate its decision to Prime Minister Gonsalves and to request that the prize be returned by the end of August.
“The announcement of the motion was unanimously approved and was met with sustained, thunderous applause,” the release said.
This arrogantly pompous, verbose wind-bag has finally been found out and given his marching orders. From where I stand, it looks like the fox has finally been rumbled. Like others before him, his ability to pull the wool over the eyes of others is rather quite legendary.
Like Stalin, Castro, Chavez and now Maduro, there is nothing vaguely democratic about this grubby dictator, who had been able rampage over SVG for years while pretending to be a democrat, but nothing could be further from the truth Thttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5idu4DctAeE what now remains is for Vincentians to gain courage and evict the man and his family from office in SVG thereby putting an end to their tyrannical dictatorship.
Funny that you mentioned Castro because blacks had more rights under him then democracy look what democracy did to your brothers and sisters in America don’t even talk about democracy under the English. If you not for Ralph that’s fine but don’t act like democracy is a saving grace
LOL…Yet the highest court in Guyana held the same position and the PPP is once again in power. You people simply hate Gonsalves and take the other side.
This is the beginning of the end for the PM because the region is tired of him with his dictatorial regime.
Achates, is this your real name or did you sneeze?
Please indicate EXACTLY who in the region is fed up of the most brilliant Prime Minister the Caribbean has to offer
I am fed up with him and so are thousands of other, have been for years.
Here is a golden oldie
https://www.iwnsvg.com/2014/02/09/cross-the-floor-and-close-the-door-on-gonsalves/
All you to petty
Obviously you cannot spell Niasha, the word is spelt pretty.
Gunnie, you are a genius, they can’t stop and change your intellect and color. All your life you are fighting for the least unfortunates and minority. All guyanese are racial, against the Indian people. You are a fair in what you utter, I can bet you they are all, of one pigmentation (guyanese), who oppose you. I wish the US, go there and knock that criminal out. Which civilized country in the world, will act this way.
When anyone even comments on Cuba or Venezuela, Gonsalves is the first to say stop meddling in the internal affairs of other countries. He has been meddling in other countries elections for years, he is a dreadful man.
Its funny I was just looking in the Urban Dictionary at the phrase ‘Prize Pig’ I had to laugh when I came across this
Prize pig is when you end up with the last female in the bar, she is usually drunk and pretty much ready to go. Alternatively, you have Parking Lot Prize Pig.
You see I thought that was dreadful and anti feminist bunch of sayings but I put it here because he will just love it.
Then this
A prize pig is a term that’s used for a winner that keeps on winning.
I wondered does that includes elections, UN and CARICOM seats and even peoples love and infection? I know I used the wrong word, couldnt remember the word I wanted so used the next most appropriate.
Nothing to do with the subject but it does stir up some visions. Lol
Good i hope st Vincent and the grenadine vincentians understand this man there prime Minister and his government support socialism and communism are you serious Christian S.V.G ! GOD JEHOVAH is not please with you Solidarity mean unity of agreement of feeling or action especially among individuals with a common interest mutual support with in a group your Prime Minister and his government support bondage of the people. under socialism and communism government like Cuban Fedel Castro Hugo Chavez Venezuela and many more who are not free democracy is freedom to choose not bondage wickedness EVIL and very SATANIC .
Lol you more black people suffered under democracy. Right?
It’s a case where one socialist supporting his kit and kin.
RETENTION OR REVOCATION
Not sure of the significance of the ‘Award,’ but not a darn thing whether allowed to ‘…Retain or Revoke.’
Even so, a leader shall show neutrality in the ‘domestic affairs’ of another democracy.
But then, friend or no friend, there comes a time when a man must say the things he truly believes in.
Rawlston its not having the award and the accompaniments taken back its the pain in doing so in the way Saadiss suggests. If you see him with his eyes watering or see her with her bags above her eyes instead of under them, you know they have both taken her advice. Together? I hear someone shout.
Rawlston it is the embarrassment, the whole world is talking about it, the British and American national newspapers are full of it. He looks like an absolute fool internationally.
Understood ‘JG.’ but lose no sleep over, neither;
(a) ‘…The revoked Award; and
(b) …Any perceived embarrassment.’
You shall be able to look a friend straight in the face and say, ‘…Man you are doing foolishness.’
Sure would hurt him, but in time to come, he too, will understand.
Oh go f@$* your self with your award…lol
Well the award was in the shape of the statue of liberty and a pair of scales and a mallet. So in what order should he use them to get the effect that you have requested. Also are you sugesting he does it to himeslf or you Saadis, whichever it will be a truly ugly sight.
I must say that I object Kenton of the use of photo, showing him like he looks sorry for himself. Old ladies may be tempted to console and cuddle him, if any of them can get their arms around him.
The time has come, people are seeing this man’s true colours.
Will the Vincentian see his true colours ?
ELECTION 2020!
If you LOVE me….Let me be
Good,Congrats.He needs to be kicked out of St Vincent for abusing Vincentians.A liar,alleged rapist,and dictator.Get rid of him quick.
Me and me neighbour voting for LABOUR!!!! Five inna row!!!!
I think Saki is Mr Sucki him very self, hello comrade, amusing yourself here?
Most of these negative comments show a lack of understanding of the issues. PM Gonsalves is correct in his pronouncements on the Guyana issue. We cannot stand idly by and accept the erosion of democracy in any Caribbean country. Let them take back their worthless award. They need to respect the will of the majority and our PM must be commended for his stance. The PP Civic won. Granger and his gang are doing all in their power to steal the election. Why would we countenance such behavior?
By taking back the award, they have shown how badminded, petty and spiteful they are. Let us all stand for principles.
Let’s just pray that my fellow Vincentian’s will come to their senses and see this man for what he really is a dictator and use their voice and the only power they have (their vote) to remove him from office and give themselves a much needed break from political thief’s although there is no guarantee that the next PM will be different at least there is hope that they will be because I don’t understand how he is prime minister and his son is minister of finance they both have hold this country of ours hostage for years and it’s time for change look at the state the country is in they don’t even have access to air travel […] from LIAT […] has gone bankrupt the poor people who has worked their fingers to the bone was slapped in the face with no pay and no way to travel if they have an emergency and don’t get me started on the conditions at the hospital and the state of health care in the country but GOD has a plan and the devil got a place for people like that there is a price to pay for the way they have treated the children of the most high….
It is my prayer that this coming elections will bring him his just rewards that he is so deserving of finally and that they will elect someone who have some fear of GOD in his or her heart and respect for the country and the people of St Vincent and the grenadines they have earned that much so I will say this to you my Vincentian’s you are beautiful you are stronger than you know FOR SO LONG YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH WITH SO LITTLE YOU ARE NOW QUALIFIED TO DO ANYTHING WITH NOTHING……..peace and love to you my beautiful Country st vincent I LOVE YOU MUCH
LOL. Shameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
THE WORLD IS WAKING UP TO THE DICTATORSHIP IN ST.VINCENT..VINCENTIANS YOU DESERVE BETTER
I THINK THIS TO BE A VERY GOOD MOVE BY THE BODY. DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE IN ST. VINCENT IS AT A VERY QUESTIONABLE STAGE AND HE SHOULD RETURN THAT RECOGNITION.
BUT HERE IS SOME THING ELSE, THE PRIME MINISTER OF BARBADOS, AS CHAIRMAN OF CARICOM AT THE TIME, DID LITTLE TO ASSIST IN THE ELECTION PROCESS OF GUYANA AND INDEED, SHOW ED VERY LITTLE LEADERSHIP THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS EVEN THOUGH PRODDED BY MANY.
LAST YEAR, SHE TOO, WAS GIVEN ON OF THE HIGHEST HONORS IN GUYANA. I BELIEVE SHE HAS DISRESPECTED THIS GESTURE AND HER REMARKS CONCERNING THE GUYANA ELECTIONS WERE EQUALLY DISRESPECTFUL OF GUYANA’S INDEPENDENCE AND SHE TOO, SHOULD BE MADE TO RETURN THAT HONOR. SHE DID NOTHING TO ENCOURAGE PEACE OR BALANCE TO THE SITUATION AND SHE TOO, IT IS WIDELY FELT, HAD HER ALLEGIANCE WITH JAGDEO, A MAN OF VERY QUESTIONABLE CHARACTER.. SHE HAS VIOLATED CARICOM’S SPIRIT AND HAS NO RIGHT WITH THAT AWARD.
SO YES, GONZALVES AND MIA MOTTLEY SHOULD BE MADE TO RETURN THEM..
We should all be very concerned about what is going in Guyana. Prize withdrawal or not, the situation is untenable. It’s been 4 months!!! Already sanctions are being taken against Guyana for what is perceived as an attempt by the incumbent to openly undermine and discredit the electoral process. Is that democracy? This is not about Gonsalves, it is about Guyana!!!
The problem is the PPP votes were counted in entirety including the forged ones. There should have been new elections. Ralph Gonsalves has a very nasty habit of interfering in other islands elections, been at it for years.
When it comes to allowing the courts in SVG do their work after vote rigging is discovered here, he has done everything possible to frustrate proper hearing on the matter. Employing foreign lawyers and paying them millions to frustrate and stop proper results.
If nothing was done wrong in our elections proper court procedure would be welcomed to disprove accustions. But spending millions to dodge the courts shows the truth.
cooeeeeeeeeeee where are all my comments?
When the news first broke I was in a remote African village where the Prince who lived in an amazing building about a mile away had internet.
The Prince and I went to the village and the whole village danced a celebration dance, after the Prince explained to the tribe what I told him about the Saint Vincent dynasty, I showed him a picture of the comrade on the internet, he could not stop laughing about how stupid Vincentians are.
You have been sidelined for being too prolific at cussing the PM and his cronies
Who are you referring to VIN? Me, or someone else, or IWN, and who are his cronies?
If you are referring to me I can assure you the doll the medicine man gave me is still at the Princes home, I didn’t bring it home.
You see I do not believe in those things, he does and so do the villagers.
“If I work Obeha, I only work Obeah for the Lord” there is his admission.
Yes, Vin, I have been side-lined, none of the SVG media will publish what I write anymore. They happily published what Peter Binose wrote; he made some of the publications work he had many followers; he attracted a lot of commentaries which is the evidence that people were taking notice.
Now editors are running afraid of threats of legal action. The written and spoken word in SVG is being denied to the people. The voice of real opposition suppressed. Many editors have taken on the role of protecting government and some of its ministers from criticism and expose. Some are genuinely frightened of being attacked and put out of business; others are backing and supporting the PM and everything he says and does. Others decide what we should read and what we should not. Anyway, whatever the reasons free speech has been severely affected in SVG.
I am seriously thinking about backing a new media proposition that has asked me to write daily for them. Not sure I have the energy but thinking about it seriously.
On some media, they publish nothing I write not even comments. I thought it was cowardice, but perhaps it is even more than that.
The comrade has voiced in private that he won his war with the online media, they now know their place.
Let me see if I got this right. You telling me an organisation for democracy take back their award for democracy because the PM of St. Vincent was protecting democracy in Guyana? I say if the Prime Minister can find the away he should throw it in the sea.