The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has met with representatives from Private Sector companies and other agencies to get their views on promoting ethnic harmony and peace among Guyanese.
Members of the ERC at the stakeholder engagement on Friday
Some 40 stakeholders participated in the engagement, which concentrated on Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
The lively two-hour meeting, at Regency Suites, was part of the Commission’s on-going countrywide face-to-face engagements with stakeholders in the society. ERC Commissioners once again emphasised that the undertaking of promoting harmony could not be tackled by the Commission alone as everyone’s collaboration was needed.
The functions of the ERC and the complaint procedure were among the highlights. Members of the audience also urged the Commission to build trust and maintain its credibility.
The ERC was re-commissioned back in February, some seven years after the body had expired.
The ERC members are: (Chairman) Pastor John Smith from the Christian community; Rajkumarie Singh from the Hindu community; Roshan Khan from the Muslim community; Norris Witter from the labour movement; Norman Mc Lean, the Private Sector representative; Deodat Persaud for youth organisations; Ruth Howard for women’s organisations; Ashton Simon for Amerindian groups; Barrington Braithwaite for African groups and Neaz Suban for Indian groups.
The ERC plays an integral role as a constitutional entity which serves to protect and preserve the interests of all stakeholders as far as creating an atmosphere of tolerance and harmony among the different ethnic groups in Guyana’s diverse society.
The Commission initially comprised representatives from seven different constituencies, but in 2015 it was increased to 10.
The ERC was established under the Herdmanston Accord. It works with persons and agencies to promote harmonious ethnic relations. The Commission also deals with complaints, promotes training in racial harmony, and fosters a sense of security, among all ethnic groups.
The Commission had been virtually dysfunctional since 2011 when then Opposition Leader Robert Corbin has secured an injunction against the body, barring the Chairman and two Commissioners from taking any decision, recommendation or issuing any direction on behalf of the constitutional body.
