HIJACKING THE EVENT

Jan 16, 2011 APNU Column, Features / Columnists

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On January 9, 2011, the PNCR undertook to make a more definitive statement on the International Year for People of African Descent, after consultation with representative organizations.
At that time, the PNCR asserted that “the actions of the PPPC regime have clearly demonstrated that President Jagdeo and his party are seeking to use the Year for People of African Descent for political and electioneering purposes, rather than in the interest of the people for whom the year has been dedicated.”
The PNCR further stated that, as a major political party in Guyana, with acknowledged African support, it was never formally invited to participate in the planning of the programme while the PPP has sought to exercise control to engineer the outcome.
The Party also referred to the shocking report of the planned State launching of this event, where it is proposed to place the main oppressor of African Guyanese over the past nineteen years to dominate to the extent that no prominent African Guyanese who holds different views from that of the ruling party would appear on the opening programme at which President Jagdeo was scheduled to make the feature presentation.
The PNCR had also stated in its release that the first action by the Administration was to exclude all legitimate organizations representing African Guyanese from formal representation on their so called National Committee. Instead, that party has sought to manipulate individuals of African descent to give the false impression that Guyanese of African descent are fully involved in the programme.
Garbled Response
In a garbled response, the Chairman of the “so-called” National Committee, failed to address the issues raised by the PNCR and sought to confuse the public by outlining meetings held, listing the names of participants of African descent and placing the name of the Organisation to which he presumed they were members, next to their names.
The response, however, confirms the PNCR’s assertions since the statement failed to refer to any initiative to invite the acknowledged Organisations of African Guyanese to participate in the planning of the programme.
The fact that the statement claimed not to know of the existence of the All African Council of Guyanese Organisations, further exposes the farce of involvement. Accusing the PNCR of engaging in the instigation of public distrust and public mischief, the statement then proceeded to implore the PNCR to get involved.
Significantly, the statement claimed that “Government had signaled that the door is still open to the PNCR” confirming that the door was presumably closed before the PNCR statement.
The Statement also failed to address the content of the statement made by the 12 authentic African organizations, one of which represents sixteen groups that categorically stated their non-involvement and expressed displeasure at the process used by the Guyana Government to create its programme of observance.
They also called for the postponement of any launching programme until a mutually agreed upon National UN Year for People of African Descent programme is established. One would have expected that any responsible and concerned committee would have positively addressed these concerns and sought to meet urgently with this group rather than engage in futile exchanges.
The PNCR, therefore, does not propose to engage in exchanges which are intended to distract from the essential issue. The Party is more concerned that the year’s programme fulfills the mandate of the United Nations in every respect.
THE UN RESOLUTION AND ITS OBJECTIVES
On 18th December 2009, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the year beginning on 1st January 2011, as the International Year for People of African Descent. In doing so the UN stated that, “The Year aims at strengthening national actions and regional and international cooperation for the benefit of people of African descent in relation to their full enjoyment of economic, cultural, social, civil and political rights, their participation and integration in all political, economic, social and cultural aspects of society, and the promotion of a greater knowledge of and respect for their diverse heritage and culture.”
The mandate of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, established by Commission on Human Rights (resolution 2002/68 of 25 April 2002,) was subsequently expanded to include, inter alia:
a) To study the problems of racial discrimination faced by people of African descent living in the Diaspora and, to that end, gather all relevant information from Governments, non-governmental organizations and other relevant sources, including through the holding of public meetings with them;
b) To propose measures to ensure full and effective access to the justice system by people of African descent;
c) To submit recommendations on the design, implementation and enforcement of effective measures to eliminate racial profiling of people of African descent;
d) To make proposals on the elimination of racial discrimination against Africans and people of African descent in all parts of the world;
e) To address all the issues concerning the well-being of Africans and people of African descent contained in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action;
f) To elaborate short-, medium- and long-term proposals for the elimination of racial discrimination against people of African descent, bearing in mind the need for close collaboration with international and development institutions and the specialized agencies of the United Nations system to promote the human rights of people of African descent through, inter alia, the following activities:
(i) Improving the human rights situation of people of African descent by devoting special attention to their needs through, inter alia, the preparation of specific programmes of action;
(ii) Designing special projects, in collaboration with people of African descent, to support their initiatives at the community level and to facilitate the exchange of information and technical know-how between these populations and experts in these areas;
(iii) Liaising with financial and developmental institutional and operational programmes and specialized agencies of the United Nations, with a view to contribute to the development programmes intended for people of African descent by allocating additional investments to health systems, education, housing, electricity, drinking water and environmental control measures and promoting equal opportunities in employment, as well as other affirmative or positive measures and strategies within the human rights framework”
NO TOKENISM
It should be obvious to all, therefore, that the year 2011 is not one for token celebrations, but an opportunity to address serious issues affecting the African Diaspora. Significantly, the Secretary General of the UN Ban Ki-moon delivered an impassioned speech on 10th December 2010 to usher in this significant year. In that address he emphasized that,
“The international community cannot accept that whole communities are marginalized because of the colour of their skin,” “People of African descent are among those most affected by racism. Too often, they face denial of basic rights such as access to quality health services and education. Such fundamental wrongs have a long and terrible history.”
“The international community has affirmed that the transatlantic slave trade was an appalling tragedy not only because of its barbarism but also because of its magnitude, organized nature and negation of the essential humanity of the victims.”
“Even today, Africans and people of African descent continue to suffer the consequences of these acts,” he added, calling for their full integration into social, economic and political life and at all levels of decision-making.”
FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES MUST BE ADDRESSED
The PNCR expects that the national programme would include tangible actions to address the many concerns of the African dominated communities, which have been the subject of discussion for many years.
The issue of marginalized communities, ancestral lands, infrastructure in various communities and employment are only a few that must assume paramountcy. The proposals by the late Leader of the PNCR, Mr. Desmond Hoyte, for a model programme of development must be brought back on the table for discussion and implementation. Additionally, the Motion which the PNCR took to the Parliament on ancestral lands must be recommitted for discussion if Guyanese are to take seriously the programme for 2011.
With the exposure of the reality surrounding the present proposed Government programme it is hoped that efforts will now be made to have a mutually acceptable national programme that seriously addresses the fundamental issues affecting people of African descent in Guyana.
The Government has temporarily retreated by postponing the proposed National Launching Ceremony but Guyanese and particularly the authentic Guyanese African organizations should not be deceived. The struggle has just begun!!

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