The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has corrected a Kaieteur News report of May 7, headlined `Life of the ERC comes to an end'.
In a statement on Monday, the ERC noted that the report was erroneous as the ERC is a permanent constitutional body enshrined by the constitutional amendment Act No. 11 of 2000 which amended Article 212 to provide for the establishment of an ERC.
The ERC noted that the constitution makes provisions for the duration commissioners should serve. "Article 212B (4) (a) outlines that a majority of those members elected to serve on the Commission, shall be appointed, in the first instance, for four years and thereafter can be deemed eligible for a three-year appointment on the Commission," the release added.
The ERC statement also rejected what it said were KN's conjectures and said the newspaper had not contacted it for clarifications.
The ERC said its focus for this year is to build and strengthen partnerships and relationships it established last year. It also said it has engaged consultants to conduct scientific research at private and public agencies on the existence of policies and practices which provide for the equitable distribution of employment, land allocation, award of contracts, educational opportunities, loans and other types of capital finance. It said this investigation will allow it to monitor and review legislation and administrative acts or omissions relating to or having implications for equal opportunities.
The group said as part of its continuous outreach work it made its inaugural regional visit, for the year, to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) where it met with the Regional Democratic Council, the public, religious leaders, the Chamber of Commerce and continued its Public Education and Awareness Programme.
The ERC reiterated that "its life has not come to an end" and that the commission continues to perform its role in the areas of public education and awareness, investigation, conflict resolution and research. It strongly condemned any attempt to undermine its effort and to arouse feelings of insecurity among the populace. It encouraged citizens to maintain the amity which has begun to take shape within the society.