IMPACT Justice Project to discuss formation of regional Indigenous body

Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean Region are meeting in Guyana to discuss the possible formation of a Caricom Association of Indigenous Persons.
According to Director of the IMPACT Justice Project, Professor Velma Newton, the meeting is a follow-up to one held in Belize in 2016, where several persons indicated their desire to have such an organisation established.
She noted that a similar organisation was formed in 1990; however, it was no longer functional.
Newton said her agency was prepared to offer support should a consensus be reached on the formation of a Caricom Association of Indigenous Persons. However, what forms the support will take are yet unknown, as the newly-established organisation will be capable of raising its own funds and ensuring its sustainability.

Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe noted her satisfaction that such a meeting was being held in Guyana. One area of concern that the Minister highlighted was the training of paralegals to represent Indigenous persons in Guyana. She disclosed during an interaction with inmates of the Camp Street Prison it was revealed that most of them (Indigenous persons) were incarcerated because of poor legal representation.
Meanwhile, Dr Sharon Le Gall, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of the West Indies who focuses on Intellectual Property Rights, disclosed that Indigenous groups were advocating for the right to their cultural property. Dr Le Gall noted that it was important that persons were aware of these international developments and through their Governments, participate in all the negotiations and discussions.
The three-day activity will also cover The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.