At launch of UN Year of Peoples of African descent…
…says there must be reparations by the west for slavery
AMIDST the sound of drums invoking the spirit of the ancestors, President Bharrat Jagdeo, yesterday called for people of African descent and indeed all Guyanese to demand
changes in the way the international community relates to small developing nations since a “colonial” situation exists in the guise of trade and economic policies.
Further, the President said that “words are not enough” and reparations in some form must be forthcoming by the developed world.
He noted this could take the form of more compassionate policies that would allow the developing world to take its rightful place, and not be oppressed in unfair competition in
trade.

He was speaking at the launch of Guyana’s programme of activities to mark the United Nations’ Year of Peoples of African Descent – 2011.
The launch took place at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, and many groups attended, despite calls for its boycott.
Leader of the Opposition, Robert Corbin, was visibly absent from the event, which saw the presence of Members of Parliament and other dignitaries.

The President said government is commemorating the year as a passionate advocate for the view that every individual is equal in dignity and endowed with the same rights as the other.

“This principle forms the bedrock of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which sets forth the right of all individuals to experience a life free of
discrimination on the basis of colour. The [Declaration] mirrors a deeper relationship between respect for the individual rights and peace within and among nations,” Mr. Jagdeo said.

QUOTE:“Throughout the year we are going to debate, discuss the origins and the problems faced by people of African descent and hopefully we will emerge with a greater focus on solutions. I am not one for United Nations declarations. Too often people do this almost in a way that does not have emotions attached to it. It’s just another slogan. We have seen so many slogans from the UN…year of environment, year of biodiversity and at the end of the year,  nothing changes in the world.” – President Jagdeo

He said the Declaration represents an irreproachable standard for all human societies emphasising the inalienable truth that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity.
However, he said that despite being promulgated in 1948 and in spite of its widespread dissemination, “there remains decades after, challenges to its universal acceptance and application. People of African descent and coloured people generally still struggle for equality, freedom,  and social and economic rights in many countries.”

He said rampant and unacceptable discrimination still exists and represents a stain in all humanity.
“In declaring this year as International Year for Peoples of African Descent, the United Nations no doubt recognised the necessity of allowing the world to address the wounds
occasioned by racism and racial prejudice, especially against people of African descent, who have been the most subjected to racism, discrimination and social and economic injustices. This dedication of 2011 as the year of peoples of African descent was necessary because the world needs to heal itself from these afflictions of history,” said the President.

He said that the single affliction in particular at the root of the ills against African people is that of the horrendous slave trade.

“The African slave trade was the largest and most horrific affliction because of not only its magnitude but the extent of its barbarism.  It is the greatest crime against
humanity. It accounted for the dramatic transformation in the demographics of the world and was characterised by the forced transplanting of Africans thousands of miles from
their homes,” President Jagdeo told the large gathering.

The President said there has been no recompense for these atrocities committed against Africans.

“This year serves as a timely reminder to those who promoted, encouraged, condoned and benefitted from the slave trade and for all of us who recognised this, that [for] a
significant part of the industrialised world, the huge buildings and the glamour and glitz that we grow accustomed to when we travel to Europe, were built on the blood and the
sweat of our ancestors. This year should remind them of the debt that they owe to people of African descent and an apology is not enough. Those who were complicit must offer more than words, however well meaning and sincere,” he declared.

QUOTE:“This year serves as a timely reminder to those who promoted, encouraged, condoned and benefited from the slave trade and for all of us who recognised this, that [for] a significant part of the industrialised world, the huge buildings and the glamour and glitz that we grow accustomed to when we travel to Europe, were built on the blood and the sweat of our ancestors. This year should remind them of the debt that they owe to people of African descent and an apology is not enough. Those who were complicit must offer more than words, however well meaning and sincere.” President Jagdeo

“My government, in 2007, went to Caricom and we did not support; we advocated a resolution that called for us to collectively – at the level of Caricom – to struggle for
reparation. It is against this background that we are today commencing celebrations for this year dedicated to the people of African descent. This could be regarded as the lead event in the launching of a series of activities that will constitute Guyana’s observance during which we will, as a nation, salute, honour and pay tribute to people of African descent who constitute such a vital part of the fabric of this nation. And we are not just going to talk about it. I have made sure that financially, government will support
it,” said President Jagdeo.

“Throughout the year we are going to debate, discuss the origins and the problems faced by people of African descent and hopefully we will emerge with a greater focus on
solutions. I am not one for United Nations declarations. Too often people do this almost in a way that does not have emotions attached to it. It’s just another slogan. We have
seen so many slogans from the UN…year of environment, year of biodiversity and at the end of the year,  nothing changes in the world,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Secretary-General of Caricom Ms. Lolita Applewaithe said that as the year is celebrated, “we come with the realisation that equality in treatment of people and respect to the right to a life free from discrimination and poverty are essential to international peace and security and to building stable communities and nations.

She said this year of celebration is another opportunity to redouble efforts to end discrimination against people of African descent and to build an awareness and respect for
their diverse heritage and culture. She said also that poverty, under-development, racism and social exclusion continue to affect people of African descent disproportionately
all over the world.

“Too many persons of African descent in the world do not have access to basic services in health and education and thereby have difficulty in realising their full potential and
contribute meaningfully to the advancement of their families,” she said.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, said it is a year to remember the sacrifices of Africans and the ongoing contributions that they are making through
vision and action.

“Today, when we look back across time, we have indeed traversed a long way. We can see our history littered with milestones signifying the resistance and resilience of people of African descent. Looking back, we must be imbued with a sense of pride and awe at how our ancestors fought for the abolition of the slave trade and that bitter struggle led to the [end] of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in 1807. However, that alone was not enough.  It was because of their tenacious struggle that eventually led to the Abolition Act of 1833,” said Dr. Anthony.

The programme was chaired by Professor Al Creighton and Mrs. La Vonne George. It included a prayer  by Chief Priest Mwanza, a welcome  by Dr. James Rose, songs and dances  by the Korokwa Singers and the National Dance Company respectively, and scintillating sounds from the Sacred Drum Chants.