Opposition MP in Guyana wins lawsuit filed after being blocked from leaving country

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The High Court in Guyana has awarded Opposition parliamentarian David Patterson GYD$1 million in damages for being prevented from leaving the country last year.

In her ruling on Friday, Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire also ordered the State to pay Patterson GYD$250 000 in legal costs.

Though a victory for Patterson, he was seeking GYD$25 million after alleging that the authorities wrongfully stopped him from leaving the country on September 26, 2023 when he was going to join an Opposition delegation that was set to meet with American congressmen and other officials.

Patterson had cleared security checks at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in preparation for his flight but was prevented from leaving by immigration officials.

The Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) was allowed to travel a few days later but attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes filed a lawsuit on Patterson's behalf, claiming breach of his fundamental right to freedom of movement and unspecified sums for exemplary damages and costs.

Patterson said he had experienced loss, shame, and embarrassment as a result of the travel block.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) explained that Patterson was mistakenly left on an Immigration Department watch list that barred him from flying – a list he was placed on after being charged with indecent exposure.

Patterson received an apology from the police force – the Commissioner of Police is the Chief Immigration Officer – and was acquitted of the indecent exposure charge in February this year.

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