-Subhan confirms at Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

DESPITE its claims, the International Decade of People of African Descent Assembly–Guyana (IDPADA-G) has never filed a complaint of discrimination with the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

This was confirmed by ERC Commissioner, Neaz Subhan, as he participated in a thematic discussion on Culture and Recognition at the 3rd Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday.

Highlighting that the commission is the only one of its kind in the Caribbean, Subhan said that the commission will continue to stand firmly against all forms of racial discrimination.

During his presentation, he said that Guyana is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-linguistic country of minorities in which the constitution provides for fundamental rights and freedoms.

Against this backdrop, he noted that the constitution also prohibits discrimination on many grounds including of culture.

“Of particular interest to this panel is Article 27 (2) which stipulates that ‘it is the duty of the state to provide education that would include curricula designed to reflect the cultural diversities of Guyana..’ and Article 35 honours and respects the diverse cultural strains which enrich society…”

Further to this, he indicated that despite the inhumanity of slavery and colonialism and the long struggle to freedom, the descendants of Africa in Guyana have kept their culture alive through cuisine, music, dance and storytelling for centuries.

He added that while this obtains in Guyana, the ERC remains mindful of the historical and ongoing challenges people of African descent have and continue to face in the recognition and practice of their culture in parts of the world.

“In this context, the ERC, a Constitutional body with a 24- point mandate to foster social harmony, promote and respect ethic, cultural and religious diversity, receive and investigate complaints of discrimination and marginalisation, remains encouraged by the continuous support provided by the Government of Guyana to various organisations and communities of People of African descent to aid in the preservation and promotion of their culture,” he remarked.

With this, he disclosed that in the last three years alone over $1.8 billion in financial support has been distributed to afro-Guyanese orgnisations and communities to promote and preserve culture and also develop sport infrastructure.

To this end, he indicated that the IDPADA-G received the largest allocation of any organisation amounting to some $360 million between 2020 and 2022.

Subhan said: “Our Commission, in its efforts to deliver its mandates, will continue to stand firmly against all forms of racial discrimination and to contribute towards building a harmonious and cohesive society under the rubric of One Guyana”.

He further affirmed the commission’s support of the second decade.