GUYANA will be hosting a delegation from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in Georgetown from Tuesday, November 28 to December 1, 2023.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere.
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, in a statement, on Monday, said that visit is framed as a ‘technical cooperation and promotional visit,’ aligning with the IACHR’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.

This initiative focuses on providing technical cooperation on institutional matters and public policies while deepening awareness of human rights among state agents and enhancing the capacities of both State and non-state actors.
Commissioner Margarette May Macaulay, President of IACHR, Commissioner Roberta Clarke, Second Vice-President, Patricia Colchero, Chief of Staff of the ES/IACHR, Paul Spencer, Senior Advisor, Caribbean Affairs, Wendy Singh, Specialist in Technical Cooperation and Public Policies, and Ana Paula Suarez, Press and Communications Official, constitute the visiting delegation.

There is also a component of the visit which will focus on engaging and raising awareness among civil society organisations (CSOs).
A diverse schedule of activities has been arranged by the Ministry in collaboration with the IACHR.
This includes protocolar meetings, sectoral discussions with crucial ministries and statutory agencies, engagements with constitutional bodies having human rights mandates, a panel discussion open to high school and university students, and site visits to various development projects.
The delegation will also hold private meetings with other international and regional partners, such as the UN Country Team and CARICOM.
Dr. Christopher Arif Bulkan, a Guyanese National, was elected a Commissioner on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, in June 2023, for the period 2024-2027.
His appointment, based on his extensive experience in human rights as an advocate, jurist, academic, and policy adviser, marks a significant milestone. Dr. Bulkan will officially take up his seat on the IACHR in January 2024.

He had previously served as an expert member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee during the period 2019-2022, where he authored and co-authored several individual opinions.

“The Government of Guyana looks forward to welcoming the IACHR delegation to Guyana and takes this opportunity to express the State’s profound gratitude for the unwavering support of the Organisation of American States, and further reiterates the country’s collective commitment to protecting democracy and fundamental human rights with the goal of improving the lives of every Guyanese,” the statement said.