The Guyana Indian Heritage Association (GIHA) has rejected an invitation by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to participate in its 'Conflict Transformation Training Course', citing a lack of confidence in the credibility of the ERC.
"GIHA will not be participating... because we do not view the ERC as a credible organisation," GIHA asserted in a letter sent to ERC Chairman Bishop Juan Edghill and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative, Jan Sand Sorenson.
A press release from GIHA, to which the letter was attached, said published statements 'allegedly' made by the ERC and which intimate that school children must not be taught about the six races that make up Guyana reflect "gross disrespect and intolerance for the various race and ethnic groups that make up the Guyanese citizenry..."
However, Bishop Edghill recently said the ERC has never made any pronouncement to the effect that Guyana's six races should be considered as one. According to Edghill, this misconception of the ERC's position on the issue of the six races came about after information disclosed at a press conference held by the ERC was subsequently misreported.
GIHA declared: "...the ERC cannot describe itself as a body that will 'work towards the elimination of racial tensions and ethnic conflict' as stated in the brochure for the training course."
The press release said GIHA considered the statement by the ERC unconstitutional and a proclamation that goes against the grain of the UN Charter for Human Rights. It said this statement could be interpreted as a suggestion that all race/ethnic groups must disappear or be dissipated and/or a proposal of the cultural or physical genocide of Guyana's peoples.
"Such gross intolerance is racism at its worst. Taken further, [the] ERC's proposal would also mean the disappearance of Guyana's various religions as we descend into 'oneness,'" GIHA said.
Further, the release said GIHA expected the ERC to recognise and accept the ethnic conflicts that trouble the nation and work to eradicate them but that the Commission, like the government, has thus far demonstrated that it seeks to wish away Guyana's problems and lacks the respect and tolerance that must be a basic for such a Commission.
It concluded that were the ERC to retract the offending proclamation, GIHA would reconsider its decision, however, were matters to remain as they stand, "GIHA would be doing Indian Guyanese a disservice to send representatives to sit as partners with a Commission that disrespects and is intolerant of our essential Indian identity."