ERC issues 151 warnings: racial slurs remain the top social media offence

…intensifies national outreach, education programmes

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) intensified its nationwide outreach and public education efforts throughout May 2026, rolling out a series of youth-focused programmes, cultural initiatives, and public awareness campaigns anchored in Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations and the broader goal of strengthening social cohesion across the country.
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has issued 151 cautionary statements so far in 2026 in response to social media violations, with racial slurs remaining the most frequently recorded offence, according to data released by the commission up to May 22.
The Commission’s Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) continued its active monitoring of traditional and social media platforms to identify and address statements capable of inciting racial hostility, intolerance, or social division.
For the year thus far, up to May 22, 2026, the MMU issued 151 cautionary statements on behalf of the Commission to social media violators for varying levels and types of infractions.
The highest recorded category of infractions remained stand-alone racial and ethnic slurs, accounting for 41 recorded incidents, while intolerant, prejudicial, and insensitive statements collectively accounted for 35 infractions.
Specifically, for the period April 24 to May 22, 2026: eight racial slurs were recorded; eight racially insensitive or prejudicial statements were identified; five xenophobic statements were addressed; one racially stereotypical statement was recorded; two statements were deemed racially divisive; and three racially derogatory comments were identified and addressed.
The Commission continues to urge citizens to exercise responsibility, respect, and restraint when engaging on social media and other public platforms.

Investigative unit
During the current reporting cycle, the Investigative Unit’s consolidated statistical register reflects a total caseload of 83 matters spanning the period 2022–2026. This comprises three matters from 2022–2023, 14 matters brought forward from 2024, 49 matters brought forward from 2025, and 17 matters recorded for 2026 to date, of which three were received during the reporting period.
In status terms, the consolidated docket comprises 83 matters and remains materially concentrated within governance and active-processing stages. 23 matters, representing approximately 27.7 per cent, are listed as pending sub-committee review, while 17 matters, or 20.5 per cent, are classified as investigation in progress. A further five matters, or 6.0 per cent, are recorded as pending, three matters, or 3.6 per cent, are pending legal advice, and two matters, or 2.4 per cent, are at the conciliation stage.
Finalised or closure-orientated outcomes account for 33 matters, representing approximately 39.8 per cent of the consolidated register. Of these, 24 matters, or 28.9 per cent, have been closed by the ERC; six matters, or 7.2 per cent, are recorded as completed; and three matters, or 3.6 per cent, have been withdrawn. No matters are presently recorded as Referred to External Agency, Transferred to External Agency, or Pending Statutory Decision within the statistical summaries reviewed.

Public education
Through its Public Education and Awareness Unit (PEAU), the Commission intensified public engagement via youth programmes, national competitions, cultural participation, social media campaigns, and strategic stakeholder collaboration.
The month’s standout event was the ERC Awards Ceremony for its National Poetry, Song, and Social Media Competitions, held on May 23, 2026, at the Seawall Bandstand under the theme “Celebrating 60 Years of Heritage, Reflection and Respect.”
The initiative formed part of the Commission’s contribution to Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee observances, providing a national platform for students and young Guyanese to give creative voice to themes of patriotism, unity, diversity, and national identity through poetry, music, and digital storytelling.
The Commission was also represented at the Guyana Festival Expo 2026, held from May 15 to 17 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. Over the three-day event, the ERC maintained a dedicated engagement booth where staff interacted with hundreds of patrons, distributed information materials, and raised public awareness of the Commission’s constitutional mandate.
ERC short films championing unity, tolerance, diversity, and mutual respect were screened throughout the festival, while Jingle Competition winner Mr. Roger Hinds delivered a live performance of his winning entry before a capacity audience at the “Night of Legends” concert.
On May 12, 2026, the ERC facilitated a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training session for the management team of Excel Guyana Inc, covering inclusive workplace practices, respectful engagement, unconscious bias, and the Commission’s constitutional role in advancing harmony and mutual respect among all Guyanese.