ERC calls for vigilance against racial discrimination ahead of elections

Guyana’s Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has called for heightened vigilance against racial discrimination ahead of the country’s 2025 general elections, urging that efforts to foster inclusivity must be intensified in the coming months.

Speaking at an event marking both the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Commission’s second anniversary, ERC Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack said the body would ramp up initiatives to counter racism and promote unity.

“As we approach the 2025 General Elections, the ERC will intensify its efforts to counter racism and foster inclusivity,” Hack said. “The fight against racial discrimination is an ongoing one, requiring constant vigilance, adaptability, and collaboration among all members of society.”

The event, held at the Umana Yana in Kingston, brought together government officials, opposition representatives, and international partners to reflect on Guyana’s progress in combating racial discrimination.

United Nations Resident Coordinator to Guyana, Jean Kamau, said tackling racial inequalities required collective action and effective policy implementation.

“The United Nations remains committed to supporting Guyana’s efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination,” Kamau said. “We stand ready to collaborate with the government, constitutional and statutory bodies, and all stakeholders to ensure racism and discrimination have no place in our societies.”

Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul said bipartisan collaboration was necessary to promote racial harmony and national unity.

“Our fight against racial discrimination is not just about rectifying historical wrongs,” Mahipaul said. “It is about securing a just and equitable future for generations to come.”

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira said the country had made progress in addressing racial discrimination but urged citizens to continue working toward a more inclusive society.

“We must not disparage the progress we have made,” Teixeira said. “Let us consciously work together to ensure that prejudices—whether ethnic, religious, or racial—are reduced.”

The ERC, reconstituted on March 21, 2023, has led several public awareness campaigns and investigative efforts aimed at promoting racial harmony. The commission said it would continue to push for greater collaboration among stakeholders in the lead-up to the elections.

ERC Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack speaking at the event