Govt withdraws motion after omission of groups

Rights of the Child Commission

…claims it could not make contact with certain entities

Government was forced to withdraw a motion that would pave the way for establishment of the Rights of the Child commission, after a number of critical organisations to the process were completely left out of the process.
The motion was brought in the name of Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton, who chairs the Committee of Appointments. Two nominations came from service organisations, including the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic and Help and Shelter.
Three nominations were supposed to come from religious groups. However, there were only two groups named in the motion – the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana and the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.
Two nominations were to come from youth groups, including the Alliance for Change youth arm and the Dharmic Naujawan (youth). The women’s groups, including the AFC’s women arm and the Guyana Women Miners Association, were to furnish two other nominations.
Three other nominations would come from statutory and professional bodies. Other groups, like the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA), the Indian Action Committee (IAC), the Public Health Ministry and the National Toshaos Council (NTC) were expected to work out and determine among themselves a single nominee to send.
Opposition Parliamentarian Juan Edghill brought the assembly’s attention to the noticeable omission of any Christian faith groups. These groups, Edghill pointed out, have a track record of being included on the commission.
“It is unnecessary controversy. Let me give an example: There are a number of organisations that we have to consult with. If we compare this with what was the agreed position in 2014, even if the Minister believes that because someone didn’t respond to an advertisement in a newspaper they should be left out, I want to point to him how important stakeholders have been left out.”
“Let’s look at religion. The Christian community is left out! This APNU/AFC pro Christian Government has left out from their motion the Christian community. And you want us to go ahead tonight? It gets worse when we come to youth. Would you believe they left out the PYO (Progressive Youth Organisation)? (This is) one of the oldest youth organisations in this country,” Edghill said.
But Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes, in defence of the Government, pointed out that their omissions were not for want of trying. She said Government had reached out to those organisations, and had even placed advertisements in the newspapers to get them included in the process. She ultimately recommended that the motion be withdrawn.
Edghill revealed in his presentation that Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had indicated to Government Chief Whip Amna Ally that he would accommodate Government withdrawing the motion to reach a proper consensus.
In extending the olive branch, Edghill also indicated that the Opposition would give its full support when that is done, and the bill is returned. On that note, Dr Norton announced that Government would be withdrawing the bill.