The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is expected to meet Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to discuss matters related to complaints of racial bias at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo
Jagdeo himself spoke of this impending meeting during his weekly press conference on Thursday. According to the Opposition Leader, he received a letter from the Ethnic Relations Commission wherein he was informed of an intention to pay a courtesy call on him.
“Last week, I received a letter from the ERC saying that they would like to pay a courtesy call on me to have a discussion,” Jagdeo related. “So I’m waiting for that to take place. At that meeting, I will raise these and some other matters in keeping with their mandate.”
On Friday, when this publication made contact with ERC Chairman Dr John Smith, he confirmed that the commissioners intend to have a meeting with the Opposition Leader. While there is no definitive date set aside, the Chairman noted, the meeting will happen soon.
Last week, GECOM Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn wrote a letter of complaint to the ERC, contending there is a manifest ethnic imbalance at GECOM, and that hiring practices are being manipulated in favour of one group. The letter has asked for the commission to investigate.
Asked for an update on this matter, Smith said investigations have not yet commenced, owing to financial and staffing challenges. According to Smith, the commission has “to get staff. We advertised for staff and are working to get the machine in place so we can do the work.”
Meeting with President
Meanwhile, the commissioners met with President David Granger on Friday at the Ministry of the Presidency, during which the Head of State described the ERC as perhaps the single most important commission in existence in Guyana at this time.
He noted that there is a resurgence of xenophobia based on ethnic differences elsewhere in the world, and said the resuscitation and work of the ERC was therefore preventative action to ensure that ethnic harmony is maintained.
The ERC Commissioners meeting with President David Granger (centre)
“Without a greater sense of social cohesion, this country will remain unequal; and anything we try to achieve politically or economically will be difficult…Society has the potential for social cohesion, but we must not allow divisive elements to separate us…there is more that unites us than separate us,” the President said.
He reminded the Commissioners that a lot would depend on the advice of the ERC, and told them that they would be expected to conduct outreaches and work to promote the message and practise of social cohesion.
The President also urged the Commissioners to ensure that their service is tailored to meet the needs of the indigenous population. “You cannot ignore the peculiar reality in Guyana, whereby a large part of the population communicates in languages that people in other parts of the country cannot comprehend,” President Granger said.
Discrimination complaints
Meanwhile, ERC Chairman Dr John Smith informed that since resuscitation of this commission, the ERC has been flooded with requests. Some of the main issues that engaged the Commission’s attention were the allegations of discrimination at Mae’s School, which has since been resolved; and claims of ethnic imbalance at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
The Chairman also informed that the Commission is currently refining its work plan, looking at its legal framework, and recruiting to bring its staff complement to working strength.
Retired Major General Norman McLean, who is a member of the Commission, has said that despite the challenges, the Commissioners are committed to working as a team to ensure that social cohesion is truly realised. This, he said, is the main objective of the work programme that is being drafted.
Similar sentiments were also expressed by the other Commissioners. (Jarryl Bryan)
