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I will not be intimidated by any hired pen – ERC Chairman
Head of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) Bishop Juan Edghill yesterday expressed regret that an issue that could have been addressed through moral suasion, and by applying alternative dispute resolution techniques, has now become a matter in the public domain.
Edghill was referring to the issue of the Fazia’s Collections’ chain of stores being accused of discrimination against Chinese in Guyana, by refusing them entry to the stores.
Bishop Juan Edghill
He said that since the matter has come in the public domain it must now be dealt with publicly.
“I will not, as Chairman of the ERC, be intimidated by any hired pen, whether it’s a columnist, a letter-writer with a smear campaign…” Referring to an article written by KN columnist Freddie Kissoon on May 21st, Edghill stated that “…I am convinced we have pens for hire.”
Edghill stated quite clearly that he “…will not be cowered into a corner by any legal manoeuvrings by any attorney in this country,” adding that nobody’s wealth is enough to buy his integrity.
Referring to a letter from the owner of the store published yesterday, Edghill stated that there were a number of inaccuracies, which showed a deliberate attempt to change the facts as they occurred.
While the ERC received complaints that Fazia’s Collection were turning away Chinese nationals from their stores, Terry Anderson, the registered owner states that during August, 2009, Chinese persons had entered his store and started taking photographs indiscriminately. Objections by Andersons proved futile, and the situation continued with more persons of Chinese ethnicity coming to the store and doing the same thing.
The photographs were taken of the price tags and brand name of the items for sale.
Anderson stated that he subsequently placed signs in the stores stating that no photographs were allowed. However the situation continued.
According to the ERC Chairman, “It was when one of Mr. Anderson’s staff was about to physically remove a Chinese from the premises, that one of the investigators took out a camera to take out the photograph, that there was an objection and a confrontation.”
Edghill stated that at that stage he was informed of what was taking place, and made his way to the store thinking that the matter could have been sorted out right there and then.
The ERC head pointed out that Anderson stated the ERC Chairman entered the store and started taking photographs. Edghill is maintaining that this is not so.
Edghill charged Anderson with discrediting the ERC, and distorting the truth through a “hired pen”, Freddie Kissoon. He added that Kissoon had called the ERC claiming to be the representative of Fazia’s and “…fishing for information.”
The ERC Head stated that he asked Kissoon to put his questions in writing and he would respond accordingly. This was never done.
Edghill stated that the ERC felt that since it was the first time that something like this was brought to their attention, “…we could get them to meet in a round table to talk through the issue, about the way forward….but it seems that Anderson feels that he could … discredit a constitutional body by various manoeuvres…using a hired pen and legal manoeuvrings so he could get away with his mischief against the Chinese.”
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