Govt remains committed to human rights – Min Teixeira tells stakeholders ahead of 4th Cycle of UN’s UPR

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance hosted a Civil Society Consultation on Tuesday as part of its preparations for Guyana’s 4th Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
The event served as a vital platform for engagement between the Government and civil society organisations (CSOs), aimed at shaping Guyana’s national report, which is due in January 2025.
The UPR is a key mechanism of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, which enables a periodic review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. Guyana’s review in the 4th Cycle, scheduled for May 2025, offers an opportunity to report on progress made in strengthening human rights protections since the last review as well as address challenges.
Approximately 50 civil society organisations were invited and 13 participated. These included organisations working on children’s rights, women’s rights, the rights of indigenous peoples, LGBTQ+ rights, poverty reduction, and representatives of Guyana’s three main religious groups.

Additionally, representatives of the constitutional rights commissions, the University of Guyana (UG) and members of the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up were also present at the session to provide on-the-spot feedback and support to the CSOs.
During the consultation, the UN Resident Coordinator, Jean Kamau underscored the critical role of civil society in the UPR process and reiterated that the journey towards human rights realisation cannot be achieved by only one actor, reinforcing the need for collaborative efforts.
In her feature address, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to human rights and the importance of collaboration with CSOs in advancing this agenda.
Teixeira noted that the national report which is made on behalf of the State is not only intended to cover the work done by the Government but will take on an “all of society” perspective in which the achievements and progress made by all actors will take the forefront.
Participants were introduced to the timeline and expectations of the 4th UPR Cycle during a special session during which the thematic areas under review, including legal and institutional reform, child rights, gender equality, the right to development, and equality and non-discrimination were also explored. Particular attention was paid to cross-cutting issues such as corporal punishment, the death penalty, and the decriminalisation of consensual same-sex relations.
The consultation featured breakout group discussions, where participants deliberated on specific themes from Guyana’s 3rd Cycle UPR recommendations. These discussions provided a space for CSOs to identify priority issues, share insights, and propose actionable recommendations.
This consultation reinforced the Government’s dedication to fostering meaningful collaboration with civil society to promote and protect fundamental human rights in Guyana, especially for the most vulnerable.The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance hosted a Civil Society Consultation on Tuesday as part of its preparations for Guyana’s 4th Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
The event served as a vital platform for engagement between the Government and civil society organisations (CSOs), aimed at shaping Guyana’s national report, which is due in January 2025.
The UPR is a key mechanism of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, which enables a periodic review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. Guyana’s review in the 4th Cycle, scheduled for May 2025, offers an opportunity to report on progress made in strengthening human rights protections since the last review as well as address challenges.
Approximately 50 civil society organisations were invited and 13 participated. These included organisations working on children’s rights, women’s rights, the rights of indigenous peoples, LGBTQ+ rights, poverty reduction, and representatives of Guyana’s three main religious groups.
Additionally, representatives of the constitutional rights commissions, the University of Guyana (UG) and members of the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up were also present at the session to provide on-the-spot feedback and support to the CSOs.
During the consultation, the UN Resident Coordinator, Jean Kamau underscored the critical role of civil society in the UPR process and reiterated that the journey towards human rights realisation cannot be achieved by only one actor, reinforcing the need for collaborative efforts.
In her feature address, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to human rights and the importance of collaboration with CSOs in advancing this agenda.
Teixeira noted that the national report which is made on behalf of the State is not only intended to cover the work done by the Government but will take on an “all of society” perspective in which the achievements and progress made by all actors will take the forefront.
Participants were introduced to the timeline and expectations of the 4th UPR Cycle during a special session during which the thematic areas under review, including legal and institutional reform, child rights, gender equality, the right to development, and equality and non-discrimination were also explored. Particular attention was paid to cross-cutting issues such as corporal punishment, the death penalty, and the decriminalisation of consensual same-sex relations.
The consultation featured breakout group discussions, where participants deliberated on specific themes from Guyana’s 3rd Cycle UPR recommendations. These discussions provided a space for CSOs to identify priority issues, share insights, and propose actionable recommendations.
This consultation reinforced the Government’s dedication to fostering meaningful collaboration with civil society to promote and protect fundamental human rights in Guyana, especially for the most vulnerable.