Opposition MP challenges Govt to re-establish ERC

It may talk the talk, but the Government has not been walking the walk of social cohesion. This is according to a former Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), who believes that the Government has no serious intentions of re-establishing the ERC.

He noted in a recent interview that the Social Cohesion Ministry has done a substandard job at facilitating the type of community level engagements needed to bring about true social cohesion. In light of this, he called for the ERC to be re-established.
“That is why they should go ahead and get the Ethnic Relations Commission functioning. But this Government doesn’t want an Ethnic Relations Commission. The Committee of Appointments, headed by Dr Norton, has concluded its work months ago. It’s on the Order Paper for the approval of the (nominees). If the Government was serious about the Commission, they control the agenda, and sitting after sitting it’s not being addressed.”
According to Edghill, the Government’s delay might stem from their discomfort in some of the persons who were nominated on the Appointment Committee.
“I think we are at an all-time low where (ethnic) relations (are) concerned, even with this administration talking about social cohesion. Their actions, rhetoric, personnel, behaviour have been so divisive and sectarian that it has not helped.”
He noted that this can be seen as stonewalling, adding that “they prefer to keep using the mantra under the Ministry of Social Cohesion. The Ministry of Social Cohesion has done nothing substantial to help to bring Guyanese closer.”
The ERC plays an integral role as a constitutional entity which serves to protect and preserve the interests of all stakeholders, as far as creating an atmosphere of tolerance and harmony among the different races and ethnic groups in Guyana’s diverse society.
The Commission initially comprised representatives from seven different constituencies, but in 2015 it was increased to 10. ERC members represent the three main religions – Hinduism, Islam and Christianity – and are drawn from labour, the Private Sector, the youth and women’s affairs organisations. The three new additions which fall under a new category – the Cultural/Ethnic Group – comprise one representative each from the three major ethnic groups of Guyana– the Indo-Guyanese, Afro-Guyanese and Indigenous Guyanese.
Subsequently, the National Assembly was informed that the Committee consulted the approved list of entities for nomination to the ERC; and those entities met, and later submitted their nominations between April 30 and June 6, 2014.
The next step in the process, after finalising the 10 nominees, is for the Committee to submit the names to the National Assembly for approval via a motion. It is required that there be a two-thirds majority approval before the nominees can become official and be presented to the President for swearing in.
The ERC is a constitutional body established under the Herdmanston Accord. It works with persons and agencies to promote harmonious ethnic relations. The Commission also deals with complaints, promotes training in racial harmony, and fosters a sense of security among all ethnic groups.
The Commission has been virtually dysfunctional since 2011, when then Opposition Leader Robert Corbin secured an injunction against the body, barring the Chairman and two Commissioners from taking any decision, making any recommendation, or issuing any direction on behalf of the constitutional body.