Home Letters Is ERC trying to muzzle its commissioners?
Dear Editor,
I note with concern a statement from the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) distancing itself from remarks made by one of its commissioners — Haji Dr. Roshan Khan — at a press conference on Monday June 8, 2020.
In my view, this was unnecessary and untimely, given that he was urged to speak by other stakeholders at the National Recount, and his comments were in no way controversial.
Currently, our country is still politically charged. Tensions are high, and so more nationalistic sentiments should be made, especially from the ERC. It is sad that the Commission took time to craft a statement, but Guyanese are yet to see any report on a number of issues that are being investigated.
Editor, I must ask a few questions: What are the functions of this ERC? Why did the ERC take offense at the comments made by Commissioner Khan? When will the Chairman of the ERC make himself available to the press?
Editor, I do hope that this statement from the ERC was not used to muzzle Khan, and other commissioners who may want to make public statements. I wish to remind the ERC that all commissioners represent different groupings in society: religious, social, economic, race, labour etc;
therefore, the title of Commissioner bestowed on each commissioner should not stop any one of them from speaking on behalf of those whom they have a duty to represent.
The ERC should re-examine its functions according to Article 212D of the Constitution.
Yours sincerely,
Davanand Persaud