Response to Minister Gail Teixeira on the constituting of the Human Rights Commission

Nov 19, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

I note the response of the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance on the matter of the non-constitution of the Human Rights Commission, and I can only deduce from her remarks that she is either pretending to miss the point of my letter or that she genuinely does not comprehend what was being asked of her.

No one is disputing the value of education. Any effort to build civic awareness and promote respect for rights is welcome. What we cannot do is pretend that educational programmes can replace constitutional mechanisms, especially a fully constituted Human Rights Commission with the legal authority to investigate, act, and adjudicate human rights violations.

The critique I made, and will now reassert, is simple: the Human Rights Commission is a constitutional mandate, not a discretionary activity. Its non-existence fundamentally undermines Guyana’s ability to protect citizens’ rights and to hold state institutions accountable. The repeated attempt to showcase human rights “initiatives” and workshops as evidence of commitment is not governance; it is political theatre. What the country needs is not more ceremonies, but the constitutional body that the law requires.

We all recall the President waxing lyrical when asked about the reconvening of Parliament, declaring, and I quote, “You can trust the PPP/C Government to do everything within the Constitution.” Well, Mr. President, and Madam Minister, respect for the Constitution cannot be selective. It cannot apply only when convenient. The Constitution requires not only that Parliament be reconvened on time, but also that all constitutional bodies be established, functional, and free from political interference. It demands separation of powers, enforceable checks and balances, and oversight institutions that actually work.

Now that the Minister has detailed the process for the appointment of the Human Rights Commission, one that is clear, straightforward, and certainly not complicated, perhaps she can now inform the nation of the timeline by which the PPP Government intends to fully constitute this Commission. Especially since their Speaker, Mr. Manzoor Nadir, is determined not to call the meeting for the elections of the Leader of the Opposition, which is necessary to this process.

Tabitha Sarabo -Halley,
Member of Parliament

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Gail Teixeira, human rights, Letters, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley

Latest News

Response to Minister Gail Teixeira on the constituting of the Human Rights Commission

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Similar Articles

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Listen to the The Glenn Lall Show

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Family witnesses Joy Adams greatness for the first time

VIEW ALL SPORTS

Features/Columnists

A Christmas without backpay

Sir. Ronald Sanders

“Sovereignty” – A Plaything of the Powerful?

The GHK Lall Column

Rail link – a boon to be

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

> Berbice Bridge […]