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![--President Ali demands; says gov’t remains committed to struggle for reparations for the crime of African enslavement
--urges Guyanese to reject any object that obstructs efforts to foster unity
PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during his Emancipation Day message, reiterated his commitment in the fight to attain reparations for African enslavement.
He also urged Guyanese to reject any object that poses as a hindrance to unity in this passage to having a “One Guyana.”
The President related: “My government remains committed to the struggle for reparations for the crime of African enslavement. We demand that those who were complicit in and who profited from the trade in captive Africans and African enslavement pay just reparations.”
He remarked that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has been a key player in demanding reparations for the descendants of enslaved Africans.
“Within the region, there has been a concerted effort to seek both the acknowledgement of and redress for the injustices inflicted as a result of the slave trade and slavery,” he said, adding that the recent European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU-CELAC) summit symbolises a step forward since many acknowledged slavery as a crime against humanity.
Whilst noting that the 185th anniversary signifies the heroic resistance and resilience of the nation’s African fore parents, President Ali stressed that those ancestors laid the framework for Guyana’s freedom.
“It is that freedom and African achievement which we celebrate today, Emancipation Day. As we do so, let us never forget that this freedom was attained at a high price,” the Head of State said, adding that African enslavement represents, “one of the darkest chapters in human history and a permanent stain on our civilization.”
Although Emancipation in 1838 indicated the abolition of slavery, according to President Ali, Africans still faced a series of challenges and thus, Emancipation Day also gives recognition to the significant contributions of African-Guyanese; this includes the development of the peasantry, the emergence of the Village Movement, and the pioneering role of Africans in government, education among other areas in the national light.
The Head of State boldly said: “Today, as we celebrate Emancipation Day 2023, let us pay tribute to those who endured unimaginable hardships, yet resisted. Let us recall the sacrifices of our African ancestors who emerged strong and resolute in the face of such a barbarous system which gave no legal recognition to them. Let us celebrate their contributions to shaping the Guyana we know today.”
In order to pay homage to the suffering that Afro-Guyanese endured, President Ali while emphasising that his government is committed in ensuring a “One Guyana” for all Guyanese, said that the people need to come together and forge a more inclusive nation, one that will not be divided by politics or any other subject matter.
He related: “They [Afro-Guyanese] along with all others will have a stake in national development and in the governance of our country. The One Guyana agenda is aimed at building such a prosperous and inclusive future,” adding: “…I am mindful that there are forces inside and outside of our country who, for selfish reasons, continue to stoke division and engender fear, mistrust and suspicion. As I have done in the past, I want to encourage Guyanese to continue to reject these attempts and expose the agitators of disunity and fear-mongering who threaten our nation’s cohesion and progress.
“Emancipation Day was a milestone in our country’s history. As we celebrate the anniversary of this historic day, let us recommit to working to create a brighter future where resilience and achievements resonate in every corner of Guyana, inspiring generations, present and future, to unite in building a nation that embodies the spirit of freedom, prosperity and inclusivity.”
THE FIGHT TO ATTAINING REPARATIONS!
In a previous address at a high-level meeting to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action that was held under the theme “Reparations, racial justice and equality for people of African descent,” President Ali told world leaders: “Guyana is committed to gaining international reparations for the crime of African enslavement. Reparative justice must not only include a full and unconditional apology from those responsible and/or who benefitted from the transatlantic trade in captive Africans and their consequent enslavement, but must go beyond apology.”
The President said that it is in this regard that Guyana will continue to support efforts being made within the Caribbean Community to press for the convening of an international summit to demand reparative justice for the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, African enslavement, and its enduring effects.
The Head of State also reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and said that the country was pleased to join in adopting the Declaration.
President Ali said that the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is a comprehensive, action-oriented, document that proposes concrete measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
He also emphasised that equality and non-discrimination are not only fundamental principles of international human rights and international humanitarian laws, but are also at the root of political, social and economic development.
He said that as the global leaders collectively strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they must be conscious that the overarching objectives of poverty eradication, protecting the planet and building a peaceful world cannot be achieved without addressing all forms of inequality.
“Despite advances made over decades of struggle, racism and racial discrimination continue to be sources of conflicts and inequalities among people in all regions of the world.
“I am proud to belong to a country that honours and celebrates its ethnic diversity. Our people seamlessly participate in each other’s religious and cultural festivals and traditions. In many ways, we can be a wonderful example to the world,” President Ali said.](https://guyanachronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Ali-22.jpg "Ali")
–President Ali demands; says gov’t remains committed to struggle for reparations for the crime of African enslavement
–urges Guyanese to reject any object that obstructs efforts to foster unity
PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during his Emancipation Day message, reiterated his commitment in the fight to attain reparations for African enslavement.
He also urged Guyanese to reject any object that poses as a hindrance to unity in this passage to having a “One Guyana.”
The President related: “My government remains committed to the struggle for reparations for the crime of African enslavement. We demand that those who were complicit in and who profited from the trade in captive Africans and African enslavement pay just reparations.”
He remarked that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has been a key player in demanding reparations for the descendants of enslaved Africans.
“Within the region, there has been a concerted effort to seek both the acknowledgement of and redress for the injustices inflicted as a result of the slave trade and slavery,” he said, adding that the recent European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU-CELAC) summit symbolises a step forward since many acknowledged slavery as a crime against humanity.
Whilst noting that the 185th anniversary signifies the heroic resistance and resilience of the nation’s African fore parents, President Ali stressed that those ancestors laid the framework for Guyana’s freedom.
“It is that freedom and African achievement which we celebrate today, Emancipation Day. As we do so, let us never forget that this freedom was attained at a high price,” the Head of State said, adding that African enslavement represents, “one of the darkest chapters in human history and a permanent stain on our civilization.”
Although Emancipation in 1838 indicated the abolition of slavery, according to President Ali, Africans still faced a series of challenges and thus, Emancipation Day also gives recognition to the significant contributions of African-Guyanese; this includes the development of the peasantry, the emergence of the Village Movement, and the pioneering role of Africans in government, education among other areas in the national light.
The Head of State boldly said: “Today, as we celebrate Emancipation Day 2023, let us pay tribute to those who endured unimaginable hardships, yet resisted. Let us recall the sacrifices of our African ancestors who emerged strong and resolute in the face of such a barbarous system which gave no legal recognition to them. Let us celebrate their contributions to shaping the Guyana we know today.”
In order to pay homage to the suffering that Afro-Guyanese endured, President Ali while emphasising that his government is committed in ensuring a “One Guyana” for all Guyanese, said that the people need to come together and forge a more inclusive nation, one that will not be divided by politics or any other subject matter.
He related: “They [Afro-Guyanese] along with all others will have a stake in national development and in the governance of our country. The One Guyana agenda is aimed at building such a prosperous and inclusive future,” adding: “…I am mindful that there are forces inside and outside of our country who, for selfish reasons, continue to stoke division and engender fear, mistrust and suspicion. As I have done in the past, I want to encourage Guyanese to continue to reject these attempts and expose the agitators of disunity and fear-mongering who threaten our nation’s cohesion and progress.
“Emancipation Day was a milestone in our country’s history. As we celebrate the anniversary of this historic day, let us recommit to working to create a brighter future where resilience and achievements resonate in every corner of Guyana, inspiring generations, present and future, to unite in building a nation that embodies the spirit of freedom, prosperity and inclusivity.”
THE FIGHT TO ATTAINING REPARATIONS!
In a previous address at a high-level meeting to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action that was held under the theme “Reparations, racial justice and equality for people of African descent,” President Ali told world leaders: “Guyana is committed to gaining international reparations for the crime of African enslavement. Reparative justice must not only include a full and unconditional apology from those responsible and/or who benefitted from the transatlantic trade in captive Africans and their consequent enslavement, but must go beyond apology.”
The President said that it is in this regard that Guyana will continue to support efforts being made within the Caribbean Community to press for the convening of an international summit to demand reparative justice for the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, African enslavement, and its enduring effects.
The Head of State also reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and said that the country was pleased to join in adopting the Declaration.
President Ali said that the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is a comprehensive, action-oriented, document that proposes concrete measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
He also emphasised that equality and non-discrimination are not only fundamental principles of international human rights and international humanitarian laws, but are also at the root of political, social and economic development.
He said that as the global leaders collectively strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they must be conscious that the overarching objectives of poverty eradication, protecting the planet and building a peaceful world cannot be achieved without addressing all forms of inequality.
“Despite advances made over decades of struggle, racism and racial discrimination continue to be sources of conflicts and inequalities among people in all regions of the world.
“I am proud to belong to a country that honours and celebrates its ethnic diversity. Our people seamlessly participate in each other’s religious and cultural festivals and traditions. In many ways, we can be a wonderful example to the world,” President Ali said.
