Dear Editor,
The Government of Guyana is obliged to respond to the Inter American Commission for Human Rights (IACHR) and the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discri-mination (UN CERD) regarding Indigenous rights violations here in Guyana. These are big issues, which touch and concern not only Indigenous Guyanese, but all Guyanese citizens. Prime Minister Phillips is quoted in the Stabroek News as having said that, government has “…until June 20th to respond to the recommendations of the Inter American Commission for Human Rights.” (Gov’t will respond to IACHAR report on Isseneru rights violations –SN 11th May 2022).
ICHAR recommends inter alia that, the Indigenous Peoples of Isseneru and Region Seven “Receive full reparation for the material and immaterial damage they suffered as a result of the violations of their human rights”. Government of Guyana has until July 15th 2022 to respond to (UN CERD) regarding “…allegations of various rights violations relating to the village of Chinese Landing and the Wapichan People”. (Gov’t silent as deadline nears for response to UN Committee SN 10th June 2022). The report calls on government to “Incorporate the FPIC consent in domestic legislation, including by amending the Amerindian Act of 2006 with Indigenous Peoples’ participation.”
Distractions: Following local and international pressure, The Minister of Amerindian Affairs has relented. The minister announced that there will be a conference of the National Toshaos’ Council in July of 2022. (National Toshaos’ Confer-ence returns in July – Min Sukhai – DPI 6th June 2022). Instructively, publication of this announcement appears to have been limited to a single DPI release. This announcement comes in the absence of budgetary allocations for the hosting of this event, which by the way is costly. The announcement comes in the midst of government’s preparation for a number of events. There is the potentially embarrassing report that Vice News will release on 19th June 2022. There are the two responses detailed above, for which deadlines fast approach. Then there is the CCJ’s hearing and determination of an appeal relating to one of the election petitions. This is set to commence on 22nd July.
The government has planned events of its own in the hope of distracting the Parliamentary Opposition, the Indigenous population and the citizenry at large. The PPP hopes that it can do enough to deflect attention away from obvious internal power struggle as well as the potential embarrassment soon to beset that political party. The first is the commissioning of an “International Commission of Inquiry” into elections 2020 (which Messrs. Jagdeo and Ali clearly do not agree on). There will be no consultations with the Parlia-mentary Opposition regarding Terms of Reference (TOR) or identification of commissioners. Next, there will be a motion tabled in the National Assembly to suspend eight (8) opposition Members of Parliament. This will at the next sitting of the National Assembly (on a date yet to be determined).
The other event is the hosting of the National Toshaos’ Council Conference. This one is multi-purposed. Government believes that it can hoodwink the international organisations (ICHAR and UN CERD), Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples and the Parliamentary Opposition all at once. Government will say to the international organisations that they are doing a great job of supporting Indigenous Peoples through the NTC. Government will then say through the other side of its mouth to the Indigenous Peoples that they are obligated to elect an executive council supportive of the PPP. If the PPP gets its way, they will then move to control and dominate the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission (IPC)
The PPP expects that the opposition MPs will boycott the National Assembly in protest over the COI and suspensions. It will then table and pass supplementary budgetary provisions in the name of satisfying local and international demands for the hosting of the NTC conference. The PPP will say to the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana that it cares so it is convening this conference. That supplementary budget will no doubt have enough cash in it to promote further the now advanced voter procurement strategy among the Indi-genous communities. The PPP hopes that the opposition will criticise its request for more money so that the Amerindian Affairs minister can tell the NTC that the APNU+AFC is anti-Indigenous Peoples.
This kind of behaviour better fits the rubric “Stink and Dutty”. Why is it so difficult to transact the people’s business in a fair, open and transparent manner? Why does the PPP always have to be manipulative, dominant and controlling? I am confident that Guyana’s Indigenous leaders can eat arasuka with tuma and drink sweet casiri at the same time (multi-task). Our Indigenous leaders and people will see through this despicable mal-intentioned plan and make wise decisions in the best interest of all Indigenous Guyanese citizens.
Sincerely,
Mervyn Williams
