Dear Editor,
IT IS with great concern to the Indigenous people of Guyana that I write to you today. It is our understanding that the IT Bill (Cybercrime) is soon to be adopted by Parliament. While we support protective measures within any law to safeguard the interest of the nation, it is the indigenous people’s view that the sedition clause in the Bill is unwarranted and stands to infringe upon our rights as guaranteed by Article 146 of Guyana’s Constitution.
As indigenous people, we are consistently fighting for our rights to be recognised. This fight, because of the geography of Guyana, sometimes see indigenous people networking to garner support from other international organisations, and by virtue of that support, we often become critical of governments that fail to respect our rights. By virtue of this sedition clause, it criminalises our people and further marginalises an already marginalised group of people.

Considering the many infringements on the rights of indigenous people that occur within Guyana, it is important to understand and recognise that the indigenous people will continuously be placed in a position of being disadvantaged and under this proposed new law, stands to be charged by the court.

Further, Sir, Guyana being a donor to the Inter-American Development Bank has signed on to an Indigenous People’s Policy. By virtue of being a signatory and donor to that institution, the Indigenous People’s Policy adopted by the bank was subsequently ratified by all donor countries. In the said policy it states that under a variety of Articles any decision which affects indigenous people must engage the indigenous people’s leadership. I can formally communicate that the indigenous people’s leadership — The National Toshaos Council (NTC) — was not consulted on this issue and are hereby requesting to be given that opportunity to address this proposed piece of legislation. The NTC remains disposed to progressive nation-building and we look forward to be given the opportunity to have the indigenous people’s input into this Bill.

Regards
Toshao Joel Fredericks
Chairman – National Toshaos Council