ERC calls out 'Guyanese Critic' over racial remarks

ERC calls out ‘Guyanese Critic’ over racial remarks

Jul 12, 2026 News

…says comments harm national unity, but not criminal

(Kaieteur News) – The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has publicly denounced social media personality Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as the “Guyanese Critic,” over what it described as racially stereotypical and derogatory remarks made during one of his online programmes.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Commission said its Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) identified a series of comments that raised concerns about their impact on ethnic relations. The matter was subsequently referred to the ERC’s Investigative Unit, which conducted a review, sought legal advice, and engaged Rodrigues in keeping with the Commission’s procedures.

ERC calls out 'Guyanese Critic' over racial remarks

Social media personality Mikhail Rodrigues

According to the ERC, Rodrigues was formally contacted and later met in person with investigators, where he was given the opportunity to explain the statements under scrutiny.

Following the investigation, the Investigative Sub-Committee of Commissioners concluded that the remarks were racially stereotypical and derogatory and ran contrary to the Commission’s constitutional mandate to promote harmony and discourage ethnic hostility. However, the ERC determined that the comments did not meet the criminal threshold for racial incitement under Guyana’s laws.

As a result, the Commission opted to issue a public denunciation rather than refer the matter to the Guyana Police Force.

While deliberately withholding the exact language used, the ERC said the comments relied on sweeping ethnic generalisations that demeaned citizens based on their ethnicity, disparaged the character of one community, and created divisive distinctions within another.

The Commission warned that such commentary, even when presented as humour, political analysis, or strategy has the potential to offend, reinforce harmful stereotypes, and weaken the social cohesion that binds Guyana’s diverse population.

“Language that diminishes the dignity of any ethnic group has no place in the national discourse of a modern, diverse Guyana,” the ERC declared.

The constitutional body also used the opportunity to clarify the distinction between conduct that violates its mandate and conduct that constitutes a criminal offence. It explained that where comments amount to racial incitement under the law, such matters are referred to the Guyana Police Force. Where they fall short of that legal threshold but remain harmful to ethnic relations, the Commission may pursue alternative dispute resolution, public education, or issue public condemnations.

The ERC further reminded public figures, social media influencers, content creators and ordinary citizens that their words carry enormous influence, particularly in the digital age where messages can spread rapidly to thousands of people.

It urged Guyanese to exercise restraint and responsibility when discussing issues of race and ethnicity, stressing that respectful, factual and measured public discourse is essential to preserving national unity.

The Commission also disclosed that several other complaints involving alleged ethnic hostility remain under active investigation. It said procedural updates may be provided where appropriate, but emphasised that it will only pronounce on the merits of a matter after completing its investigative process.

Reaffirming its constitutional mandate under Article 212D of the Constitution, the ERC said it will continue monitoring traditional and social media platforms for content capable of threatening peace and ethnic harmony and encouraged members of the public to report offensive material through its official channels.

The Commission said it remains committed to promoting understanding, tolerance and mutual respect among all the peoples of Guyana.

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