The Government associated with Guyana expresses its plot concern over totally erroneous and misleading statements made during the second meeting from the first session of the Permanent Forum on Peoples associated with African Descent in Geneva on December 5, 2022. Those statements made by Ms Olive Sampson, Chief Executive Officer of the International Decade for People associated with African Descent Assembly – Guyana, claims discrimination by the Government of Guyana against people of African descent and their marginalization through significant economic opportunities. The Government of Guyana refutes the contents of Ms Sampson’s statements in their totality; claims which must be condemned and that can only serve to stimulate hatred, intolerance and mistrust in our society – defeating the very purpose of the Discussion board. It is appropriate to retrace the genesis of this Forum and the consistent support that the People’s Progressive Party administration has given to the efforts of the international community in order to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance convened in Durban, South Africa over the time period August 31 to Sept 8, 2001. Guyana had been among the 170 countries which were represented at this Conference that resulted in the adoption of the historic Durban Declaration plus Programme of Action. Guyana is on record as having stated at the Conference that: “The Government associated with Guyana stands firmly towards [the practices of racial incitement, hatred, bigotry, prejudice and injustice] plus hopes that out of this Conference will come a clear set of concrete recommendations in keeping with the objectives of the Conference as placed in General Assembly resolution 52/111 to preserve the principles of equality and non-discrimination as central pillars of our contemporary civilization. Given that most of the countries enjoy a rich custom of cultural and racial diversity, we must seek to generate these qualities a virtue instead of a vice and a way to obtain strength instead of weakness. Accordingly, we must find ways and means to strengthen the many strands that make up the particular fabric of our society. Such as the United Nations, we have sought to set up place legislation that offers just about all citizens equal protection from ethnic discrimination. We realize of course that legislation alone will not deter racism and xenophobia. These are evils that must not be tolerated and therefore must be eliminated. Intolerant beliefs and practices are learnt, and it is therefore by learning also that their own irrationality is understood and condemned. Only through an intensive process of education can a change be brought about. We need, consequently , to conceive and apply educational strategies which advertise a deeper awareness of the particular negative impact which these deplorable practices have upon us both as individuals and societies”. (Sept three or more, 2001, Durban, South Africa). In a review of the implementation and follow up to the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action, the particular United Nations General Assembly used on August 2, 2021 a resolution to establish the Long term Forum of People of African Descent. Guyana joined in the unanimous adoption of this resolution. The Permanent Forum has been established as a consultative mechanism for people of African descent and other relevant stakeholders like a platform for improving the safety and quality of life and livelihoods of people of Africa descent. One of the principal mandates of the Forum is to contribute to the full political, economic and social inclusion of people associated with African descent in the societies in which they live since equal citizens without elegance of any kind and contribute to ensuring equal enjoyment of human rights. The Long term Forum is also to be open to the participation of additional non-governmental organizations, including grass-roots and community-based organizations, whose aims and purposes are in conformity with the spirit, purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. It must be remembered here that the Durban Announcement affirms that “racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance constitute a negation of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the Usa Nations”. The inclusive guidelines being undertaken by the Govt of Guyana speak for themselves and can be proven. It is unlucky that at such a substantial forum, Ms Sampson made a decision to export the divisive insurance policies of her organization and to demonstrate the narrow hurtful bias that continues to impair the judgement of its associates. The Durban Declaration affirms that “all peoples and individuals constitute one human family, rich in diversity”. This Government will vigorously carry on and promote unity in variety and pursue its A single Guyana vision to ensure that every single citizen is accorded a dignified existence and with because of respect for their rights with equality before the law.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International CooperationDecember 13, 2022
