APA will continue to advocate for respect of Indigenous peoples’ rights

Jul 22, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) takes note of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s recent attempt to sully the reputation of the organisation as part of efforts to distract the public about the government’s shortcomings in the carbon crediting process.

At his press conference on Thursday, July 20, 2023, the Vice President, said there are claims that “resources being disbursed to these villages belong to a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO).”

He went on to say, “Now, many of them are telling the communities that this is NGO money that they are receiving. Well, it’s not NGO money, it came as a result of hard work by the Government of Guyana.”

APA, in response, wishes to point out that the Vice President’s insinuations carry no merit and appear to be all made up stories of someone’s wild imagination. They represent a poor attempt at damage control as the true nature of the carbon crediting process continues to unravel.

The consistent attacks against the APA by the Vice President, more recently with his claim that the APA lacks credibility to engage with Indigenous communities is tantamount to his fear that the APA will further expose the Government’s disregard for Indigenous Peoples rights to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). Just last week, during a meeting in Santa Rosa Village, residents again pointed out that the “consultations” done under the carbon crediting process were very “poor.”

As the Vice-President rightly said, the money belongs to Guyana; therefore, all must be done to ensure that Indigenous Peoples, the demographic that will directly benefit from this process, effectively participate in the decision-making process.

Notwithstanding, the APA reiterates its position that contrary to the Vice-President’s misinformed view, it does not oppose the development of Guyana’s Indigenous communities. In fact, the communities should be getting even more than is currently allocated, yet at the same time, development should not come at the cost of Indigenous peoples’ full and informed participation and free decision making

The APA stands firm in its belief that the carbon crediting process violates Indigenous peoples’ rights to their free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC). The APA further commits to utilizing the mechanisms that are in place to highlight our concerns, all in the best interest of our people.

APA

Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), Indigenous, reputation, Vice President, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

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APA will continue to advocate for respect of Indigenous peoples’ rights

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