Attorney General calls on IPU to condemn Venezuela’s actions, demands that Venezuela respects the legal process of ICJ

The Hon. Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC MP, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, earlier today, addressed the Inter-Parliamentary Union General Assembly in Luanda, Angola, and invited them to condemn the actions of the Republic of Venezuela, and demanded that Venezuela respects the legal process of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). “Time is of the essence,” the Hon. Attorney General declared.

The IPU is one of the oldest and largest association of Parliaments in the world. It comprises of 180 Parliaments across the globe. The Bahamas was accepted as the 180th member of the Union at the 147th meeting of the Assembly currently taking place in Luanda, Angola under the theme “Parliamentary Action for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” pursuant to Sustainable Development Goal 16 of the United Nations.

After addressing a number of issues, including the importance of the Rule of Law to Justice and Democracy, Guyana’s Minister of Legal Affairs connected the theme of the conference to Guyana’s border controversy with Venezuela.

“Much have been said about the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza and conflicts elsewhere. However, I wish to place on the record, a situation which is evolving in my country, Guyana, where the Republic of Venezuela proposes to pass a referendum in that country on the 3rd of December, 2023, seeking to annex to Venezuela, more than two thirds of Guyana’s sovereign territory. This reckless and unlawful move is intended to further Venezuela’s baseless claim   to Guyana’s territory – a dispute long settled by Arbitration in 1899. Venezuela perseveres with this illegal conduct despite that this issue is pending between the two States at the International Court of Justice upon the direction of the UN Secretary General.

Actions like these not only undermine public institutions but engender conflicts and violate the very thematic fundamentals of this conference.

In the circumstances I call upon the IPU to condemn the actions of the Republic of Venezuela and demand that Venezuela respect the legal process of the International Court of Justice. Time is of the essence!”

The delegates from many countries have expressed their support for and solidarity with Guyana in respect of its border controversy with Venezuela. Efforts will be made to have these expressions of support formalised.

The Hon. Attorney General is part of Guyana’s Parliamentary delegation attending IPU’s 147th Assembly this week in Angola.