Residents of Regions Five and Six adopt peace resolution
(July 25, 2006)

Residents of Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have expressed their commitment to peace and development in Guyana.

The residents met last Saturday at a breakfast-meeting organized by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to look at ways in which citizens can support the ERC in its Elections Campaign Monitoring Exercise, the Racial Hostility Act, the Representation of the People Act and their amendments.

In opening remarks, Chairman of the ERC Bishop Juan Edghill appealed to residents not to encourage the promulgation of racial of ethnic hatred or violence in their communities.

He noted that the ERC is not on a ‘witch-hunt’ to prosecute anyone but is confident that when persons are made aware of the laws they will desist from
actions that can result in ethnic violence or hatred.

Commissioner Roy Thakurdyal, in his address said that the ERC’s exercise to monitor the Elections campaign will give visibility to what is taking place in
communities. “It will bring to the surface things inimical to the preservation of peace,” he said.

The Commissioner appealed to citizens to be monitors themselves and keep an eye on what is being said by politicians when campaigning in their area.
 
“There is a moral obligation on the part of every Guyanese to ensure an elections environment that is free from fear, void of intimidation and promotes harmony and respect,” Commissioner Thakurdyal urged.

The residents, drawn from law enforcement divisions in the Regions, Regional Offices, political parties, religious organizations, women and youth groups and
private businesses drafted and issued a resolution at the end of the meeting.

The full text of the Resolution reads:
            We, the residents of Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-  Corentyne) having met on July 22, 2006 at the Little rock Suites, Main Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Guyana to discuss;

1. The Racial Hostility Act Chapter 23:01
2. The Racial Hostility (Amendment) Act 2002
3. The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2002
4. The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) Elections Campaign Monitoring Exercise;

We, the peace loving people of Regions Five and Six and as Guyanese as a whole, having acknowledged that our social, cultural, religious and political
activities of the past have placed a great burden on our people and future generations;

Having acknowledged that for true development to evolve and be realized here in Guyana as a whole, and in Regions Five and Six in particular, that there must
be peace;

Recognizing that there is need for all persons to desist from practicing discrimination which may lead to racial or ethnic insecurity;

We, the residents of Regions Five and Six resolve to reject all efforts to sow hatred and division in Guyana.

We firmly commit ourselves to promote individually and collectively, peace, harmony and development for all our people everywhere.

The Residents of Regions Five and Six hereby resolve to promote and ensure a change in the political, social and economic culture of our communities.

We, the residents of Regions Five and Six hereby pledge to continually encourage all discussions and activities of mutual respect and harmony.

We, hereby collectively resolve ourselves, here and now, to fully participate in a renewal of togetherness and cultural harmony towards the fulfillment of our
National Motto “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

Unanimously adopted July 22, 2006

66 Peter Rose and Anira Streets, Queenstown
Georgetown, GUYANA
Tel: 231-6265, 231-6479, 231-6281, 231-6473, Tel/Fax:
231-6246
Email:ceo@ethnicrelations.org.gy