Civil society groups have outlined priority issues for political parties to endorse including constitutional changes to ensure elected representatives are directly accountable to those who elect them, ending river mining and reviewing international contracts in the extractive sector.
A host of recommendations were contained in the ‘Forward Looking Strategies 2015-2020 – Consensus Statement on Priority Issues for 2015 Elections’ document re-leased by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and the organisations on Saturday. The document said that following two consultations of civic organisations, a range of recommendations to address issues of concern to the citizens of Guyana was condensed to a set of implementable priority issues under three heads with accountability as the one overarching theme.
“The exercise aimed to engage political parties contesting the upcoming elections with a view to seeking their endorsements of recommendations, some of which could be implemented promptly and others which would require further examination,” the statement said. It added that while a formal engagement will be sought with parties, ownership of the recommendations rests with any citizen or groups interested in taking them up with the political parties whenever an opportunity presents itself.
The statement noted that in terms of political accountability, elected representatives are not directly accountable to voters as votes are cast for parties rather than for individual candidates. The groups recommended that in any process of Constitutional Reform attention should be paid to the creation of single-seat constituencies with a National List comprising only the number of names required to ensure overall fairness in the distribution of seats. It also said that it must be ensured that equality of males and females on lists of candidates is reflected in the allocation of seats.
Further, the statement said, GECOM Commis-sioners should be selected independent of party recommendations and subject to term limits.
As it relates to access to full and reliable information, the civil society groups said that in order to hold elected officials to account effectively, citizens need easy access to full and unbiased information and recommended that members of the Broadcasting Board must be independent of party control.
GINA
It also said that the Government Information Agency (GINA) should be the sole State-owned source and outlet for official information and called for the establishment of an adequately resourced single Human Rights Commission with sub-commissions to protect the rights of each sector (women, children, disabilities etc.)
The groups also called for Local Government Elections to be held at the earliest practical date.
As it relates to environmental accountability, the groups said that sustainable development equals human rights combined with environmental rights. “Complacent and reckless exploitation of the earth, forests, rivers, wildlife and bio-diversity in the pursuit of individual wealth is neither ethical nor sustainable. Economic activity affecting the environment must be subordinate to the respect for life on earth as governed by human rights and the laws of nature,” the statement asserted.
The groups recommended that all international contracts in the extractive sector should be reviewed to enforce conformity with improved environmental standards and the laws of Guyana and citizens must be educated on their responsibilities as the owners/ guardians of environmental resources, recognizing the rights of future generations.
“Licenses for mining and forestry should only be granted in areas which can be effectively monitored and regulations enforced by the relevant Government Agencies. Mining bonds must cover the economic costs of environmental restoration. River mining should be banned,” were the other recommendations in relation to mining.
Coastlands
The groups also called for the ban on Styrofoam to be enforced and strategies implemented for the reduction of plastics. Further, a national consultation on the future of the Guyana coastlands is urgently needed and all financial transactions – monies invested, revenue generated, royalties and taxes generated – in extractive industries must be transparent and available for public scrutiny, the groups asserted. In terms of financial accountability, the groups said that Guyanese of all walks of life are alarmed at the extent to which bribery and corruption have seeped into the fabric of daily life. Restoration of honesty, integrity, transparency and law enforcement is a major priority, they said.
It was recommended that salaries in the Public Service be improved along with stringent penalties for bribe-taking. “Incentives should be available to whistle-blowers to encourage revelations of illegal and corrupt practices as well as to act as a deterrent to perpetrators. Steps must be taken and the necessary standards enforced to transform the image, inefficiency and lack of professionalism of the Guyana Police Force,” the groups said.
They also recommended that all public revenue must pass through the Consolidated Fund and the operations and purpose of NICIL should be the subject of review and audit. They also urged that public-private partnerships should not be schemes for illicit enrichment.
“Comprehensive tax reform is needed in order to restore a sense of faith and purpose of paying tax,” the group said while adding that all public monies should fall under the oversight of Parliament and the possibility of recovering illicit financial transfers – estimated in the order of US$270 million per annum over the past decade – should be explored.
Among the organisations which participated in the process of generating the consensus statement were the African Cultural Development Association, the Amerindian Peoples Association, Ann’s Grove Community Development Committee – ECD, Benab Foundation, Blue Caps, Church Women United – EBD, Community Based Rehabilitation-EBD, ECD Clean-Up Committee, General Workers Union, Guyana Citizens Initiative, Guyana Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, Guyana Community-Based Rehabilitation, Guyana Human Rights Association, Guyanese Organization for Indigenous Peoples, Guyana Public Service Union, Guyana Society for the Blind, Jesuits in Guyana, Methodist Church in Guyana, Monique’s Helping Hands, Morning Glory Women’s Club – EBD, National AIDS Committee, St. John’s the Baptist RC Church, Red Thread, Rights of Children, Rotoract Club – UG, University of Guyana Students’ Society, Ursuline Sisters and the Vilvoorden Women’s Group.
