Ethnic Relations Commission flooded with complaints

Since its resuscitation a few months ago, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has been flooded with multiple complaints and cases for investigation, the Ministry of the Presidency said.

The ERC – which is headed by Bishop John Smith – today met with President David Granger at the Ministry.

Bishop Smith told the Head-of-State that some of the main issues that engaged the Commission’s attention were the allegations of discrimination at Mae’s School, which has since been resolved, and claims of ethnic imbalance at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

According to the Ministry, the ERC is in the process of refining its work plan, looking at its legal framework and recruiting to bring its staff complement to working strength.

The Commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to working as a collective to fulfil the mandate of this important constitutional body, the Ministry noted.

For his part, President Granger expressed that the ERC is the “single most important commission in existence in Guyana at this time”.

He noted that elsewhere in the world, there is a resurgence of xenophobia and disorder based on ethnic differences. He said that the resuscitation and work of the ERC, therefore, is preventative action to ensure that ethnic harmony is maintained.

“Without a greater sense of social cohesion, this country will remain unequal and anything we try to achieve, politically or economically, will be difficult…Society has the potential for social cohesion, but we must not allow divisive elements to separate us…there is more that unites us than separate us,” he is quoted as saying.

The President also emphasised that while the work of the Commission will never be completed, the commissioners can do enough to hand over to those who will come after them to ensure that future generations live in a society that is harmonious and where groups respect each other.

He reminded the Commissioners that a lot will depend on the advice of the ERC and told them that they will be expected to conduct outreaches and work to promote the message and practice of social cohesion.

He also urged the Commissioners to ensure that their service is tailored to meet the needs of the indigenous population.

“You cannot ignore the peculiar reality in Guyana, whereby a large part of the population communicates in languages that people in other parts of the country cannot comprehend,” President Granger is quoted as saying.

In February, President Granger swore-in the 10-member Commission after a seven-year hiatus. The members are: Bishop John Smith (Chairperson), Mr Barrington Braithwaite, Ms Ruth Howard, Mr Roshan Khan, Major General (Ret’d) Norman McLean, Pandit Deodat Persaud, Mr Ashton Simon, Ms Rajkumarie Singh, Mr Neaz Subhan and Mr Norris Witter.

The ERC is intended, inter alia, to promote good relations, harmony, peace, tolerance and understanding between our peoples; provide equal opportunity between persons of different ethnic groups, and proscribe ethnic discrimination.