Troukler

Troukler

BAD MOUTHING THE GOVERNMENT NOW A CRIME

This paper has obtained irrefutable evidence which proves beyond doubt that bad mouthing the government in Seychelles may prove more costly than one may think.

A foreign woman married to a Seychellois, who has lived in Seychelles for the past five years, had her application for citizenship refused simply because the family of her husband is known to “bad mouth the government”. The irony is the fact that her children had applied for and were granted citizenship!

In more mature democracies where criticizing the government is not only in conformity with the Constitution (Freedom of Speech) but is also seen as politically healthy and essential to improve matters and correct mistakes, Seychelles still view it as a menacing threat. Bad mouthing the government, which was the cause for mass deportation, arrest, detention, imprisonment, torture and, in some extreme cases, extermination not too long ago, has no place in a fledgling democracy. Neither is it a reason or grounds for refusal of a license, scholarship, planning permission, employment, citizenship, housing application, DBS loan etc.

Last week Claire Short went on prime time TV to lambaste the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Short accused Blair of “clinging on to power” and advocated a change of leadership in the Labour Party. One can only wonder what would have been the fate of Claire Short if she had been in Seychelles and her diatribe had been perceived here as bad mouthing the government.

It is hoped that the point has been made here and that Ministers and high level civil servants would not emulate a certain Principal Secretary who saw it fit, in this day and age, to recommend the refusal of a citizenship application to the President simply because someone close to the applicant (not even the Applicant) is known to bad mouth the government.

It appears therefore, that the refusal was not based on statutory grounds but was rather used as a political tool to punish a family which was perceived as anti-government. This further compromise the credibility of President Michel’s government and clearly shows that there has been no departure from past arbitrary practices contrary to what has been claimed by the New Administration.

It also put President Michel’s claim that he is the President of all Seychellois in serious doubt.

LAPLI PE TONBE - DELO NAPA – OLI DESALINASYON?

Please write your own article about the endemic water shortages bearing in mind the following: The bowsers are making sure that the water tanks at the house of Ministers, SPPF MNAs and some other big shots are being filled to the brim making sure they get their daily wash whilst you and I are probably walking the streets with dirty marbles in our pockets………..