ERC PUBLIC ADVISORY

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) wishes to notify the public accordingly:
(a) The Commission has received numerous complaints from commuters against owners and operators of Public Transportation. ERC’s investigations into some of the complaints reveal that more specifically minibuses are in the habit of refusing to transport persons of particular ethnic groups especially when the ethnicity of the intended passenger is different from that of the owner or operator.
(b)  Please be reminded that it is against the Law to discriminate against a person because of their race, religion, place of origin, gender or disability or any feature that distinguishes difference.
(c) Owners and Operators of minibuses and other Public Transportation are required to ensure that their Drivers and Conductors are so educated and informed.
(d) Persons who suffer blatant acts of discrimination by the refusal of Public transportation providers to accept them for transport from one destination to another while others are being accepted should immediately report these acts to the ERC on telephone numbers 231- 6265, 231- 6479, 231- 6281 and 231- 6473, providing the registration number of the said vehicle since this is the only way of ascertaining ownership.
(e) It is the responsibility of every citizen to help in protecting the rights of another citizen. The ERC therefore urges the general public to object to such acts wherever and whenever it happens and stand in solidarity with the victims even if they are of a different ethnicity.
(f) It should be noted that the ERC will be monitoring and collaborating with the Law Enforcement Agencies to mount sting operations in the network of the Public Transportation Sector to eradicate this highly discriminatory act.
The ERC continues to encourage all Guyanese to live in peace and harmony and to be respectful and tolerant of each other’s race, religious beliefs and culture. The Commission advises persons who offer public services to ensure that these are equally provided and in a non-discriminatory way.

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