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Minister’s comments to UN forum on Amerindians misleading – APNU’s Norton
“Life is not a bed of roses for Amerindians as painted by Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai at a recent United Nations (UN) forum, where she was tasked with addressing “Principles of good governance consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” says A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentarian, Dr. George Norton.
Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai
According to Norton, the realities for Amerindians residing in Guyana’s hinterland and riverain communities are not truly represented by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. In fact, good governance as purported by Government is not enjoyed by Amerindian communities.
He stressed that the Ministry continues to neglect critical issues affecting Amerindians while trying to control and manipulate village leaders. For instance, numerous Amerindian leaders and youths are being summoned to protest to propel Government’s positions on matters, but are not given prior information as to why they are protesting.
He was stern that Amerindians should not be used as a tool and if Government is serious about development it should stop giving handouts and presentation of gifts.
“Days for handouts and presentation of gifts are over and Government needs to come up with relevant development strategy to match this new dispensation of a minority Government,” Dr. Norton said.
He said the Minister was not being totally truthful in her presentation to the Thirteenth Session United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, on Tuesday last.
Sukhai told the UN forum that Guyana continues to effect and uphold compliance with Articles 3, 6 and 46 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples.
The Minister said that with respect to Article 3, “Government places emphasis on pursuing the principles and practices of good governance, and places priority on Indigenous People’s rights. And development was pursued prior to the implementation of the UNDRIP (UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) in 2007.”
Pointing to the evidence, Sukhai said the Amerindian Act No. 6 of 2006, was enacted. It clearly states that it is “An Act to provide for the recognition, and protection of the collective rights of Amerindian, the granting of land to Amerindian, and the promotion of good governance within Amerindian villages and communities.”
According to Dr. Norton, the residents of the Amerindian community of Kurututu, situated up the Cuyuni River, Region Seven, have been robbed of their lands. He noted that Toshao Solomon Lewis has been in contact with him since the publication of Sukhai’s engagement at the UN.
During an interview with Kaieteur News, Lewis related that his village, which has a population of 160, has been experiencing several difficulties, and every complaint to the Ministry has been ignored.
APNU Parliamentarian, Dr. George Norton
Lewis said that the land title received by his village from the Government does not represent the true land size owned by Kurututu. The outstanding land has been a matter of dispute, but the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission has ignored the community and granted mining concessions to foreign nationals.
Lewis claimed that the foreign nationals have threatened to kill villagers if they enter the concessions. He said this has left villagers to depend on farming at the subsistence level as the main economic activity.
The Toshao said that the mining operations have also polluted the three creeks that villagers depend on for domestic purposes. He stressed that the mercury present in the water is dangerous to them since they eat the fish.
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