Chief Kokoi stands with Chinese Landing residents

Aug 09, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – It was quite encouraging to me to hear the announcement of the Government on going into the Village of Chinese Landing to deal with the mining issue, especially after no action was taken for years and years by relevant agencies and bodies, such as the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, GGMC, and the National Toshaos Council (NTC).

Our sisters and brothers in Chinese Landing have been pulling their hair out over their inability to walk freely in their own lands for years and years.

But what is worrying is that the ‘halting’ of mining is going to be done on a ‘temporary basis.’ What exactly does that mean?

The residents of Chinese Landing are very clear in demanding that they do not want any more destruction to their lands, territory and resources (Art 26, UNDRIP), culture, way of life, which includes farming and freely moving around within their territory (149G of the Constitution).

To stop the mining only temporarily leaves in place the threats to the village residents’ right to peaceful life, a healthy environment, safe drinking water, self-determination, and free prior and informed consent (FPIC), among others.

All of the above goes against the human rights of Indigenous Peoples, the laws of Guyana, and international law, much of which Guyana has ratified in human rights treaties incorporated in Art. 154A of the Constitution of Guyana. Yet for decades, nothing was done.

To compound the atrocious activities of the miners, the Guyana Police have joined in the bandwagon of the miners and the authorities. Instead of Protection and Service, the police have threatened a peaceful people. Would the ministers of the Government allow themselves to be treated like this?

Where is the NTC, which claims they represent the Indigenous Peoples, in all this? They are very loud in supporting the Carbon Credit scheme with its faulty process. The Chinese Landing case requires NTC support.

The failure of the government to address mining issues in Indigenous territories is quite obvious and clear. And that is the reason the IACHR got involved. They got involved because the rightful owners of the said lands wrote letters of complaints. We will have to wait and see if the recommendations handed down by the Commission will be taken seriously. So far, it looks like not – the government is telling the people of Chinese Landing they are not there to address the first two of the Commission’s request, only the “reporting” part.

We have similar experiences in the South Rupununi. Two years ago, we complained to GGMC about mining issues at Marudi. After a few meetings and one where there were heated exchanges between our leaders and miners, GGMC went away saying they intended to resolve these problems. We were later informed that an agreement was signed between the miners and GGMC excluding our villages. Not much has changed since; our communities have become mere bystanders while miners decimate our lands and resources. There are other similar instances in Isseneru and other communities.

I want Toshao Fernandes and the residents of Chinese Landing to know, I am very much in support of them. Don’t give up. To the sisters and brothers from Isseneru, Arau, Upper Mazaruni, and other villages, let’s stand together for our future generations. We see the vast destruction taking place before our eye. Let’s not allow them to further destroy our sacred lands. I am not saying that we must not work with the government of the day. Surely we can, but they have to show us the same respect as any other human being.

To the government, stop your destructive ways. Engage our people in constructive dialogue and for once put the interest of our people first and foremost. Stop dividing us, trying to fool us, treating as if we are dunces, doling out grants to try to make us feel we are dependent on you, attacking anyone who does not agree with your policy or decisions. We are aware of how you are treating our other Guyanese sisters and brothers where the oil and gas and related issues are concerned.

Finally, to all who are given Chinese Landing much needed support, the international community, the APA, thank you very much for all that you have done, and we look forward to working with you and your continued support.

Chief Kokoi.

Chief Kokoi, Chinese Landing, Letters, National Toshaos Council

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Chief Kokoi stands with Chinese Landing residents

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Chief Kokoi stands with Chinese Landing residents

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