Government awaiting final CCJ ruling before action on dual citizens in Parliament

Pressed on whether the Government was being duplicitous by recognising part of the Court of Appeal ruling, while ignoring another part, Mr. Harmon said that is not the case, adding that the Government will abide by the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Government awaiting final CCJ ruling before action on dual citizens in Parliament

State Minister Joe Harmon today said that the Government will await the appeals of the Caribbean Court of Justice before it acts on the ruling by the Chief Justice and the Court of Appeal that dual citizens should not be sitting in the Guyana Parliament.

Both the Government and the Opposition have Members of Parliament who hold dual citizenship.

Minister Harmon, who holds both Guyanese and American citizenship today told reporters that the matter is engaging the Courts and at the appropriate time, the government will take action.

“I can say to you that decisions of members of the government, including me, the decisions will be made in the public interest. Whatever is in the public interest, be assured that we will make those decisions at the appropriate time”, Harmon said.

Pressed on whether the Government was being duplicitous by recognising part of the Court of Appeal ruling, while ignoring another part, Mr. Harmon said that is not the case, adding that the Government will abide by the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Harmon and at least two other MPs on the Government side are believed to be holders of dual citizenship. On the Opposition side, three of its Members also hold dual citizenship.

The Opposition plans to boycott Parliament until the CCJ offers a final ruling on the no confidence matters. While the Opposition will be staying away from the National Assembly, its dual citizenship members will also hold on to their Member of Parliament position, although at least two of them have indicated that they intend to give up the foreign citizenship.

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