MINISTER of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, has acknowledged that government recognises that there is ethnic discrimination and, as such, is looking to deal with it. This comes after a recent report from the United Nations which stated that there is ethnic discrimination occurring in Guyana.During a recent interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister Ally said she agrees with the report that was published. She pointed out that it is because the fairly new government has recognised the prevalent ethnic conflicts in Guyana, it prompted the creation of the Social Cohesion Ministry. In addition, the minister noted that during the last general and regional elections, ethnic conflicts were very evident.

The report also called for a revision of the discrimination act which focuses on only unfairness in the work place. In response to this, Minister Ally stated that, “this ministry hopes by and large, not only to focus on the laws, but to focus on things you can do to bridge the gaps…ethnic relations are barriers, but we are going to look at the causes.”

Some of the bases she noted are poverty and inequality in a number of communities. Minister Ally said that government recognises that it has to find different ways to deal with the matter. “Outside of adhering to laws, looking at the laws or implementing laws in order to curb this, we are going to look at various avenues that we can use,” the minister said.

Minister Ally noted that the reason for the different approach is due to the consciousness of government that even though there are laws, too often people do not adhere to them.