ERC issues 151 warnings

Jun 05, 2026 News

…as racial slurs top social media violations

(Kaieteur News) – The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has issued 151 cautionary statements to social media users so far this year, with racial and ethnic slurs continuing to dominate the list of online violations identified by its Media Monitoring Unit (MMU).

According to the Commission’s latest report, the MMU has remained actively engaged in monitoring traditional and social media platforms to identify and address statements capable of inciting racial hostility, intolerance and social division.

According to the ERC, up to May 22, 2026 it recorded 151 infractions warranting cautionary interventions. Stand-alone racial and ethnic slurs accounted for the highest number of violations, with 41 recorded incidents. Intolerant, prejudicial and insensitive statements collectively accounted for 35 additional infractions.

For the period April 24 to May 22, the MMU documented eight racial slurs, eight racially insensitive or prejudicial statements, five xenophobic statements, one racially stereotypical statement, two racially divisive statements and three racially derogatory comments.

As such the ERC has renewed its call for citizens to exercise responsibility, respect and restraint when engaging on social media and other public platforms, noting the role public discourse plays in fostering national unity and social cohesion.

Meanwhile, the Commission’s Investigative Unit reported a consolidated caseload of 83 matters spanning the period 2022 to 2026. The docket comprises three matters from 2022–2023, fourteen matters carried over from 2024, forty-nine matters from 2025 and seventeen matters recorded thus far in 2026, including three new complaints received during the current reporting period.

The majority of matters remain within active governance and processing stages, ERC said.

Twenty-three matters, representing 27.7 per cent of the caseload, are pending Sub-Committee Review, while seventeen matters, or 20.5 per cent, are currently under investigation. Additional matters remain pending legal advice, conciliation or other administrative actions.

The Commission has also made significant progress in resolving complaints. Of the 83 matters on record, 33 have reached closure-oriented outcomes. These include 24 matters closed by the ERC, six completed matters and three withdrawn complaints, representing nearly 40 per cent of the total caseload.

Beyond its monitoring and investigative functions, the ERC said it maintained an active programme of public education and national outreach throughout May, with many activities linked to Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations and the Commission’s broader mandate of promoting harmony among all Guyanese.

One of the month’s signature events was the ERC’s National Poetry, Song and Social Media Competitions Awards Ceremony, held on May 23 at the Seawall Bandstand under the theme, “Celebrating 60 Years of Heritage, Reflection and Respect.” The initiative formed part of Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee observances and provided young people with an opportunity to creatively express themes of patriotism, unity, diversity and national identity.

The Commission also participated in the Guyana Festival Expo 2026 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, where staff engaged hundreds of visitors, distributed informational materials and promoted awareness of the ERC’s constitutional mandate. Festival patrons were exposed to ERC-produced short films highlighting unity, tolerance and mutual respect, while Jingle Competition winner Roger Hinds delivered a live performance during the “Night of Legends” concert.

Additionally, on May 12, the ERC facilitated a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training session for the management team of Excel Guyana Inc., focusing on inclusive workplace practices, unconscious bias, respectful engagement and the Commission’s role in advancing harmony and mutual respect across Guyana.

The Commission said its continued efforts in monitoring, investigation and public education remain central to building a more inclusive society and strengthening social cohesion as Guyana marks 60 years of independence.

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ERC, ethnic slurs, Media Monitoring Unit, racial

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