MINISTER of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock has pledged Government’s commitment to ensuring all outstanding land and resource rights issues affecting local indigenous peoples are resolved in an amicable and just manner.The Minister gave the assurance in a statement in observance of the United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. The outstanding matters, the Minister said, will be addressed in keeping with the highest standards of human rights law, as he extended fraternal greeting to the indigenous peoples’ community.

“The Ministry of the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs on the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples recognises the tremendous contribution of the indigenous peoples of Guyana to our nation’s overall development and especially to our nation’s rich cultural heritage. We should all be proud that indigenous peoples serve in all spheres of professional endeavours and at every level of nation building. In addition, the culture and way of life of our nine peoples are inextricably interwoven into the beautiful mosaic of Guyana’s cultural legacy.
“We also recognise the priority and importance of policies and legislation that fully protect the rights of our first peoples, particularly to their traditional lands and resources,” Minister Allicock said.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed yesterday, is celebrated this year under the theme: “Post-2015 Agenda: Ensuring Indigenous peoples’ health and well-being”.
Rights
“This year’s theme resonates with the stated objectives and aims of the Government of Guyana and that of the Ministry to guarantee that the rights of the indigenous peoples in our beloved country are protected in law and in fact so that our indigenous brothers and sisters can live full and productive lives and have a bright future for themselves and children while ensuring a secure future for generations to come. On behalf of the Government of Guyana and of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs on the occasion of the United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2015, I extend fraternal greetings to all indigenous peoples of Guyana,” the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister said.
Meanwhile, Head of the European Union (EU) delegation in Guyana, Ambassador Robert Kopecký said the European Union joins Guyana and the rest of the world in commemorating this significant day.
“Today we take stock of the progress achieved towards ending all forms of discrimination and in ensuring that indigenous peoples’ rights are respected, protected and fulfilled,” he said in a statement.
In September last year, the EU contributed to the success of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and promoted equal participation of indigenous peoples in preparation of this meeting.
Support
“We supported the Outcome Document of the conference which serves as a blueprint for actions at international and national level, bringing positive changes to the lives of indigenous peoples. As follow-up to the World Conference, the EU is further developing its policy in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and in close consultation with their representatives,” Ambassador Kopecký said.
Despite the many positive examples of progress achieved around the world, indigenous peoples, particularly women and girls, continue to experience multiple forms of discrimination, vulnerability and marginalisation in their lives.
In support of Guyana’s commitment to the development of its Amerindian community, the EU has in recent years funded a number of programmes aimed at empowering indigenous communities, for example, promoting participation of indigenous peoples in the FLEGT voluntary partnership agreement; capacity-building for Amerindian Village Councils, villagers, indigenous peoples’ organisations and civil society; sustainable community-led development planning; capacity-strengthening for Guyanese vulnerable communities.
“It is through both directly relevant programmes such as those in Guyana and elsewhere, as well as multilateral diplomacy that the EU affirms its determination to work closely with indigenous peoples, along with other partners and stakeholders in its endeavours to promote the recognition that human rights are equally guaranteed to all men and women,” the diplomat said.