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Amerindians need their full human rights

Feb 17, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
The recent media report about the High Court case involving the land rights issue of the upper Mazaruni villages was an enlightening moment for me.
I am not clear about the origin of the matter but the fact that Amerindians are fighting for their land rights tells a very different story from the usual one that emanates from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs; that is, Amerindians enjoy full constitutional rights.
The right to traditional lands is a human right that was subscribed to by many countries that signed the United Nations Declaration.
I now question, why is it that so many Amerindian villages are untitled, is it a lack of financial resources or a lack of will by the administration? The Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA) must be congratulated for their commitment towards representing our people without fear or bias.
It was rather alarming that the President insinuated that the leader of the APA was seeking ways of attracting funding when he had requested assurance from the security apparatus in light of threats to his life. Is it that the government is also competing for donor funds with NGOs? There is much more that needs to be done in order for Amerindians to enjoy full constitutional rights such as universal secondary education.
We are frequently reminded that Guyana is constrained financially to make major strides in development, but there is stark contrast in the way government splashes funds elsewhere.
One example is the arrangement for the President to receive more than $1 million a month, courtesy of the taxpayers, when Amerindian villages must be content with measly annual grants or rather Presidential grants.
How can one man be worth more than so many, particularly when such a person has vast skills and appeal to make a living? Amerindian villagers need potable, running water in their homes and electricity too.
We need development and full entitlement to our lands. I am fed up of hearing other Guyanese calling each other “buckman” when they make simple mistakes, even at the University of Guyana. When we are called that way by others they are really in effect highlighting our sad situation, that is, underdevelopment. Maybe part of our dilemma is our fractured societies and our general reluctance to more vociferous demands for equal rights. Thanks to the APA we now have more positive representation.
Concerned Amerindian

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