President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday administered the oath of office to the two remaining members of the 10-member Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) at State House.
Charles Joseph Ogle and Reverend Rodwell Alphonso Porter share a photo with President Ali and Speaker Manzoor Nadir after the swearing-in
The two members who took their oaths and received their instruments of appointment were Charles Joseph Ogle and Reverend Rodwell Alphonso Porter.
On March 21, eight members of the commission were sworn in at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive. Members sworn in were Pandit Krishna Deo Sharma, Sheik Moeen Ul Hack, Deon Dick, Neaz Mohamed Subhan, Norris Emanuel Witter, Chandrowatie Sarran, Ashton Simon and Dwayne Adams.
The ERC is a non-political body established to promote ethnic harmony and security in Guyana.
Article 212 (A) and 212 (B) (1A) of the Constitution of Guyana provides for the creation of an Ethnic Relations Commission and further prescribes that it should consist of not less than five nor more than 15 members nominated by entities utilising a mechanism determined by the National Assembly.
Under Article 212 (D) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the ERC has 24 functions – one of which is a mandate to investigate complaints from citizens across the country where acts of alleged ethnic discrimination have been committed. Also, the Commission is mandated to enforce the Racial Hostility Act and the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act.
When the other members were sworn in last month, President Ali had indicated that his Government remains committed to eliminating all forms of racial discrimination and the One Guyana initiative is at the forefront of this movement. Moreover, attempts to provoke racial conflicts are completely condemned. He had charged Guyanese to refute all actions to incite racial hostility and discrimination.
The Guyanese leader was quoted, “We work daily, long and hard, through our One Guyana initiative to promote quality, compassion, opportunities and stability for the advancement of all Guyanese. We take seriously, any attempts to instigate racial animosity and racial violence within our country. We severely condemn attempts that provoke racial conflicts in our society and ensure that those guilty are subject to the sanctions imposed by law.”
He added, “I urge all Guyanese to reject all racially-laced rhetoric or to be misled by those who wish to use race and ethnicity to stoke divisions and hatred in our society. My Government will continue under the One Guyana agenda to promote harmonious relations within our society.”
In Budget 2023, the Ethnic Relations Commission as a constitutional agency was allocated $137.3 million to execute its duties. (G12)
