Fearful of returning to another PNC Govt

Dear Editor,
On behalf of the geographic constituency that I represent in the National Assembly of Guyana, and on behalf of all concerned Indigenous citizens across this country, inclusive of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), I hereby express my concerns with the stance taken by former executive member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Vincent Alexander.
Mr Alexander posited that there should not be a separate commission to examine the issue of Amerindian land rights, as opposed to merging the inquiry into Amerindian land rights and African land rights together in a fashion seemingly designed to favour one over the other.
We, the first peoples of Guyana, fear that the Government plans to deal with the Amerindians as though we are lumpen imponderables who stand in the way of the upward mobility of their traditional support base, and the rhetoric being expounded by Eric Phillips and Tacuma Ogunsye of ACDA and others of their ilk seem to support this perception.
Alexander has adumbrated the PNC-led Government’s position that Amerindian land rights and African land rights should not be dealt with one extraneous to the other, and he argues that there is adequate and justifiable reasons to have consideration of Amerindian and African land rights being addressed by one commission.
As an Indigenous representative of my people, I also noted that speaking recently at a Carter Centre/ British High Commissioner-organised forum on constitutional reform, held at the University of Guyana (UG), Alexander asserted, “We have to have a holistic and integrated approach to the resolution of sectoral or communal problems. I don’t think the nation could have a discussion about Amerindian land outside a discussion about lands, period.’
However, I stand firm in my capacity with the National Toshaos Council (NTC), which is resolutely rejecting the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry that considers African and Amerindian land rights together. We will not cooperate with that process because it compromises Amerindian rights that have already been established. I, like the NTC, am adamantly demanding that President David Granger stand true to his promise that he made in 2015 – that a “Hinterland and Indigenous People Lands Commission” would be constituted.
I am cognizant of the fact that the terms of reference of the Commission of Inquiry were only published on March 11, 2017, one day after six of the seven commissioners were sworn in. This signifies Government’s intention not to consult with the NTC and any other Amerindian rights-based organisation, which is denying the fundamental rights of our community to be consulted on matters that impact our basic constitutional and human rights.

The composition of the Commission is also a vital concern, because we are convinced that the Commission would comprise members who would be more inclined to favour ACDA/Government’s positions in direct contravention to Amerindian rights and needs.
We are justifiably fearful of returning to the past under another PNC Government, because under the first PNC rule, the first peoples of this land languished in obscurity, separated and not provided for by the first PNC administration. It seems like with the establishment of this CoI, their real intention is to continue to reward their financiers, as well as enrich their supporters at the expense of the Amerindians, relegating us to the status of third-class citizens with scant rights in this country once again, to a time and place under their tenure when we were scornfully referred to as ‘them ignorant buckman’. Today, through representation, interventions and laws formulated by the former PPP/C Administration, our rights are internationally recognised and respected, and we refuse to allow our community to become national rejects once more, denuded of any rights under another PNC regime.
Notice should also be taken that, if ACDA/Government have their way, paragraph 70 of the AWG/LCA outcome for REDD would be under threat, as would any other potential rewards from Norway or other countries for our conservation of forest carbon stocks and other listed prerequisites, because while the Amerindian way conserves, the way of the intruders destroys. The world should take cognisance of the latent threat against Guyana’s Indigenous peoples and consequently our traditional way of life, because rainforests are the lungs of the world, and the invasion by hordes of outsiders would eventually depreciate, instead of enhance, the sustainability of forest carbon stocks.

Regards,
Alister Charlie MP
Region Nine