Desist from making racially inclined remarks – ERC

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is calling on Guyanese to steer away from “racially motivated” statements towards other ethnicities, as it continues to monitor social media platforms for such content.
On Tuesday, the Commission said that a probe was launched into a Facebook video posted over the weekend, that was “laced with racially insensitive” remarks. It stated that such acts can contribute to unnecessary tension during this time and its Investigations Unit has been looking into the matter.
In the video which has been making the rounds with thousands of views, a woman was observed making statements which go against the ERC’s code. As such, the entity said its officers are scouring other platforms to detect cases where such materials are uploaded.
“The ERC is reminding citizens to desist entirely from making racially motivated remarks which can incite others. In fact, the Commission wishes to point out that persons can be prosecuted for offences under the Racial Hostility and Representation of the People Acts, as well as the country’s Cyber Crime Laws. The ERC continues to monitor Facebook and the various social media platforms,” the release stated.
Presently, it has closed its doors but continues to operate via virtual means due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the body deals with complaints and matters of discrimination along the line of ethnicity, it said that complaints can still be filed by filling out an online form on their webpage: erc.org.gy or by downloading the My ERC app.
There has been a proliferation of racially-divided remarks in the last few months, mainly brought on by the electoral process. In February, political parties contesting March polls would have signed a Code of Conduct which governed the way it operated on the campaign trail.
The Code of Conduct, which was prepared by the ERC, was signed by all 11 parties, and appeared at a time when there were mounting concerns about the provocative language being used by political leaders at public rallies ahead of the March 2 polls.