Govt says Amerindian Act provides adequate protection for indigenous peoples

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Government has defended the strength of the Amerindian Act, rejecting the view that the recent court ruling which paved the way for miner Joan Chang to continue operations in Isseneru, Region Seven reflected a lack of enforceability or inherent weakness.

Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon
Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon

Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon told a news conference last week that Cabinet is of the opinion that the act does provide adequate protection for indigenous peoples.
“The administration reiterated its convictions about the soundness of the Amerindian Act, particularly those provisions that had been negatively highlighted during the court ruling. Cabinet is also firm in its conviction that the act provides adequately for the resolution of matters such as the one that attracted the court’s attention,” Dr Luncheon said.
Both Amerindian affairs and natural resources and environment ministers, Pauline Sukhai and Robert Persaud have expressed confidence in the Amerindian Act, and have urged stakeholders to use the law and its provisions to their benefit and protection.
Following the recent court case, President Donald Ramotar met with Isseneru Village council representatives to discuss their concerns. The head-of-state indicated that government will continue to pay close attention to these and other matters affecting the various stakeholders so that amicable solutions can be found to any similar problems that may occur in the future. The court’s ruling has since been appealed by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

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