ERC wants no hostilities during elections campaign

Jan 12, 2020 News

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is calling on members of the public to exercise tolerance and to cease incidence of hostility during the campaign period.

ERC chairman Dr. John Smith

The ERC, in a detailed statement, noted the various incidents of intimidation, abuse and assault on Guyanese while they were engaged in activities to sensitize people to political messages reflective of the political parties they represent.
Such acts, the commission said, are counterproductive to the valiant efforts being made for the fostering of unity and harmony
Those acts, the Commission noted, have no place in our society and must be condemned. In doing so, the Commission reiterated sentiments it repeatedly expressed in the past for the periods, prior and post the March 2, 2020, General and Regional elections, be free of hate, violence and racial or any other form of incitement.
At the beginning of this year, the Commission, in a public message, stated its expectation for peaceful and transparent elections in keeping with democratic principles.
The ERC said, “That desire remains foremost and the Commission urges all to act responsibly and to demonstrate an unwavering sense of tolerance and respect for each other.
“Our freedoms are enshrined allowing each and every Guyanese the democratic right to freely associate and support a political Party of his/her choice and to engage in lawful activities concomitant with election campaigning. That must be respected.”
Following the reconstitution of the ERC in 2018, leaders and representatives of various political parties including President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, were engaged.
In the run-up to the 2018 Local Government Elections, all Members of Parliament were written to in an effort to remind of the importance of keeping the campaigns and other interactions, including social media, free of any utterance which can impact negatively on national harmony and good relations amongst Guyanese.
Unfortunately, according to the ERC, those talks broke down and utterances like, “giving jobs only to my people”, “chase them out” and “war break”, from some public officials, did not help national efforts to promote harmony.
Regrettably, their effects are still being felt.
The Commission also pointed to instances of harassment, the removal of party flags and prevention of persons to mount, social media incitement and attacks on some performing artistes, propagation of religious preference, referencing Guyanese by ethnicity as tokenism and the alleged stereotyping of ethnic groups as “hardheaded”, are most unhelpful to building and sustaining a cohesive nation.
The Commission reminds that while it is constitutionally mandated to promote harmony and good relations, the task can only be realized through the collective efforts of all Guyanese.
“In that regard, it takes this opportunity to commend those, including public officials, who expressed disapproval over some of the actions in question.
An appeal is therefore made to all involved for a collective endeavor to be amicable in disagreement, to work in the best interest of Guyana and Guyanese, to build upon the bonds of togetherness and to ensure that the elections are not catalysts for division,” the ERC said in its statement.
The Commission therefore called for an immediate cessation of all hostilities during and after the campaign period.
In the interim, the Commission will, in the future, embark on initiatives to examine inherent causes which have led to current suspicions and stereotypes and explore possible mitigating measures.
“Guided by its constitutional parameters in the discharge of its mandate, it will also endeavor to re-engage the political leadership while monitoring the current situation.”

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