Eight members of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) were on Tuesday sworn in by President Irfaan Ali and were urged to discharge their duties with honesty, integrity, fairness and a clear conscious to attract “greater” public confidence.
The members who took their oath of office and were given their instruments of appointments are Pandit Krishna Deo Sharma, Sheik Moeen Ul Hack, Norris Emanuel Witter, Dwayne Adams, Chandrowtie Sarran, Ashton Simon, Deon Dick and Neaz Mohamed Subhan
The other two nominated members – Reverend Rodwell Porter and Charles Ogle – were not present at the swearing in ceremony which was held at the Office of the President.They are expected to be sworn in at a later date.
The Commission is chaired by Hack.
The appointments will be valid for three years.
In his remarks, President Ali challenged the Commission to insulate itself from the divisions it which seeks to overcome in society.
“The work of the Commission is non-partisan. It must rise above sectarian interest and work for the common good of our society. In doing so, its work will attract greater public confidence,” he said.
According to Ali, the ERC can play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing ethnic discrimination and in making recommendations for eliminating racial discord in society.
“Diversity is an asset we must value and cherish. Greater inclusion and equality are goals to which we must continuously aspire,” he said.
Among its function, Ali reminded, the Commission is obligated to promote the elimination of all forms of ethnic discrimination and investigate any issues affecting ethnic relations.
“The Commission is a creature of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Its composition is determined in accordance with the provisions of the highest law of our land. Its function includes promotion harmony and good relations within persons of different ethnic groups. Discouraging and prohibiting persons, institutions, political parties and associations from indulging in advocating or promotion discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity,” he said.
According to Ali, his government remains committed to eliminating all forms of racial discrimination.
“We work daily, long and hard through our One Guyana initiative to promote quality, compassion, opportunities and stability for the advancement of all Guyanese. We take seriously, any attempts to instigate racial animosity and racial violence within our country. We severely condemn attempts that provoke racial conflict in our society and will ensure that those guilty are subject to the sanctions imposed by law,” he noted.
And on International Day for Elimination of racial discrimination, he urged all Guyanese to reject racially laced rhetoric or to be misled by those who wish to use race and ethnicity to stoke divisions and hatred with our society.
“My government will continue under the One Guyana agenda to promote harmonious relations within our society – relations that are rooted in respect for human rights, the multi-culture character of our society and the equal dignity of all,” the President said.
Further, he called on all Guyanese to reject “every tongue” that utters threats and instigate hatred.
“In so doing, we will ensure that no weapon aimed at dividing our people and pitting any segment against another shall prosper,” he said.
Very happy to see diversify Ethnic Commission, they must insulate themselves and speak out to all forms of race hate that divide our society, they should first of all deal with the Lunatic Rickford Burke and his clique that hell bent to destroy cohesion in our Multi- ethnic society. We are one people, We are GUYANESE we have evolved a unique culture called The Guyanese Culture, with Pepper Pot, Menenge, Dholl Pouri, Duck, Gilbaka, Hassar, Roti and the 7 curries. Music, Chutney, African, steel band, Calaypso,reggie etc. Sports -Cricket.
We must feel Guyanese first, and every thing else after. We as Guyanese have 1 common goal is to see that all of us are one, we work together and prosper together. We have enough resources to make Guyana a paradise.
So my brothers and sisters lets work together and build a strong and sustainable democracy, we can set example that the whole world will want to follow.