APA calls for Govt’s response, rights to be upheld in Chinese Landing matter

The Amerindian People’s Association (APA) has thrown its support behind Chinese Landing’s legal claims, that its rights under the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana have been violated.
The Association shared this position after its recently concluded Annual General Meeting (AGM), which adopted several resolutions acknowledging the need for the recognition, protection, and advancement of Indigenous peoples’ rights in Guyana.
“Among the adopted resolutions is the decision to continue to support Chinese Landing, Isseneru and the Upper Mazaruni communities along with those close to the Marudi Mountain in their respective land issues,” a statement read.
Further, the APA expressed dissatisfaction with the Government’s failure to timely respond to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in the case of Isseneru Village, as it pledged continued support for Isseneru to secure its collective rights over its customary lands.
The APA added that it is aware that the health, safety, freedom, and quality of life of the community of Chinese Landing continue to deteriorate rapidly, and ‘exhorts the National Toshaos Council (NTC) to urge the Government to end its inaction towards Chinese Landing under its statutory function and prior commitments’.
“Similarly, the APA supports the communities of the Upper Mazaruni in urging the court to deliver its long-overdue judgement and the Wapichan communities of the South Rupununi in opposing illegal mining in the Marudi Mountain area and their traditional lands broadly. These lands are the subject of extension of title applications by the Wapichan communities.”
Back in the 1990s, permission was given by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to a miner to operate within the boundaries of the village titled land. However, the village has been up in arms over this approval, which they said did not have the consent of the Village Council.
When the GGMC had taken steps to issue a Cease Work Order (CWO) to the miner, however, the case had been taken to the High Court, which had ruled in his favour. The High Court decision was subsequently overturned by the Court of Appeal. However, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) reversed this in 2017.
Among UNCERD recommendations was for the Government to consider the suspension or revocation of mining concessions affecting Chinese Landing, until free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) is granted by the Indigenous people.
They also called on the Government to “refrain from approving projects and granting mining permits or concessions within the lands of Indigenous peoples, whether titled or not, without obtaining the free, prior and informed consent of the affected Indigenous peoples.
The AGM saw members of the Executive Committee, several regional and unit representatives, staff and other invitees gathering in Georgetown last month while some regions appeared virtually.
It highlighted more support for community capacity-building programmes and continuing to follow the LCDS implementation process closely.
“Lastly, the APA will advance the call from Indigenous communities throughout Guyana to ensure the Government fulfils its promises to revise the Amerindian Act to ensure effective protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Guyana. The organisation will support communities in building their capacity to articulate proposed revisions to the Amerindian Act, including by making lawyers available to answer community questions and to strengthen community understanding of the law and rights of Indigenous Peoples,” the statement outlined.
Another critical aspect of the AGM was the election of office bearers to the Committee of Management and the full Executive Committee of the organisation who will serve for the 2022/2023 period.
The members of the Committee of Management are President, Lemmel Benson Thomas of Kamarang; Vice-President, Junisha Johnny of St Ignatius; Secretary, David Wilson of Akawini; Treasurer, Earl Thomas of Wakapao; Assistant Secretary, John Campbell of Little Kanabali/Santa Cruz; Assistant Treasurer, Reynold Hutson of Hotoquai; and Trustees, Raymond Coxall and Dmitri Nicholson, both of Georgetown.
This AGM is a critical component of the APA’s efforts to promote and maintain organisational transparency and accountability and allows the fulfilment of obligations as a registered organisation under the Friendly Societies Act.