Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, has warned that attempts to intimidate judicial officers through street protests, violence and public disorder will not be tolerated, as demonstrations continue over the remand of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed.
During his weekly Issues in the News programme, Nandlall maintained that while every Guyanese has a constitutional right to peaceful protest, that right cannot be used to threaten the independence of the judiciary or undermine the administration of justice.
He said judges and magistrates must be allowed to make decisions based on the law and the evidence before them, without fear of intimidation or pressure from individuals dissatisfied with their rulings.
"Don't ever think that putting protesters out there and trying to create havoc and physical chaos will ever be allowed to intimidate judicial decision-making in this country. It will not," Nandlall declared.
"The state will not allow that to happen," he added.
His warning follows clashes between police and supporters of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party outside the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts on Monday.
The demonstrators had gathered to demand the release of Mohamed, who was remanded to prison on October 30 in connection with the alleged unauthorised disclosure of police surveillance footage.
The protest, which initially involved persons demonstrating outside the courthouse, escalated into confrontations with law enforcement ranks.
Reports indicated that some protesters pushed past police barricades at Brickdam and Avenue of the Republic, while objects were thrown during the confrontation.
Police responded with tear gas, and pellets were discharged as ranks attempted to disperse the crowd. A small fire later broke out in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market area.
Addressing the unrest, Nandlall said demonstrations involving the destruction of barricades, confrontations with police and the throwing of bottles could not reasonably be described as peaceful.
He emphasised that the constitutional protection afforded to protesters must be exercised with due regard for the rights and safety of others.
According to the Attorney General, the widespread availability of video recordings also makes it increasingly difficult for persons to misrepresent what occurs during public demonstrations.
Nandlall said he had personally viewed footage showing what he described as disorderly behaviour and attacks directed at law enforcement officers.
However, his strongest warning concerned the potential consequences of protests aimed at influencing court decisions.
The Attorney General reminded the public that judicial officers are required to make decisions independently, even when those decisions are unpopular with the Government, the Opposition or sections of society.
He noted that judges routinely deliver rulings both for and against the state, which is a normal and necessary feature of an independent judicial system.
"Judicial officers, they rule for the government. They rule against the government. They rule for the state. They rule against the state," Nandlall said.
He stressed that disagreements with judicial decisions were legitimate and that citizens, attorneys and public officials were entitled to express criticism.
However, he maintained that criticism must not cross the line into intimidation or coercion.
"Our judges and judicial officers, whatever decisions they make, must be allowed to do so in peace and in civility,"
