The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) yesterday said that it has written Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton over comments he made at a recent public meeting about the First Lady, Arya Ali.
In a press release yesterday, the ERC said that since it was reconstituted on March 21, 2023, a number of complaints were received and reviewed.
Two recent complaints were referred to the Guyana Police Force for further probe over alleged breaches of the country’s cybercrime laws. The complaints were made following statements or remarks arising from the undermentioned:
A post by Mr. Albert Morgan on a Live Facebook broadcast hosted by Dr. David Hinds, titled Politics 101. The release said that the Commission, having reviewed the post, found it to be a serious threat to life and sought the assistance of the Guyana Police Force for further investigation. Having been advised by the Police that Morgan had been taken into custody, the Commission provided two statements reflecting its concerns and its firm belief that the said post transgressed the Laws of Guyana, including the Cybercrime Act. Dr. Hinds was also written to and asked to appear before the Commission given that he failed to condemn the post and/or separate himself from it.
The Commission also reviewed a Live Facebook broadcast purportedly from the profile of one Norman Browne. The Commission, having found the contents of the said broadcast to be racially divisive and to have included threats to life and a transgression of the laws of Guyana including the Cybercrime Act, wrote seeking the assistance of the police force for further investigation. The video in question was believed to have been broadcast sometime on the evening of Monday, June 12, 2023; Local Government Elections Day.
The release said that the Commission also reviewed a video recording of a recent public meeting during which the Leader of the Opposition, Norton, addressed the gathering and made comments referring to the First Lady.
“The ERC is of the firm view that the context and explicit reference were unnecessary, demeaning, provoking and not in keeping with the esteemed Office of the Opposition leader. It outlined in its letter that it was necessary to advance an atmosphere of respect and responsible behaviour during public discourses which are tenets vital to the promotion of peace and harmony”, the release added.
Two complaints were received pertaining to comments allegedly made by Tacuma Ogunseye at a public meeting in March, 2023 at Buxton, East Coast Demerara. The matter is currently engaging the attention of the Guyana Police Force, the release said.
Additionally, a number of complainants have opted not to pursue their respective matters for complaints which were received by the Secretariat in 2022. Several other complaints are currently under review and the necessary action will be instituted, the ERC said.
It added that complaints can be made via the ERC’s website @ www.erc.org.gy; email @ ethnic.relations@yahoo.com or through a walk-in process.
