The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Tuesday called for a review of its investigative powers as part of Guyana’s constitutional reform process, saying its inability to compel people to attend could delay investigations.
ERC Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack raised the issue during a consultation at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, on constitutional reform and proposed revisions to the commission’s Glossary of Ethnically Sensitive Terms.
Hack said many people cooperated willingly with investigations into discrimination complaints and matters affecting ethnic relations. However, the absence of a general mechanism to compel attendance could hamper that work.
“From the Commission’s experience, one area merits consideration – investigative tools,” he said.
Hack called for an examination of whether the existing legal framework provide the powers and safeguards the ERC needed to fulfil its responsibilities effectively.
He said constitutional reform offered an opportunity to assess whether the country’s constitutional framework continued to serve all Guyanese fairly.
“As our economies expand and our societies evolve, it is right that we ask whether our constitutional framework continues to serve every Guyanese fairly and effectively,” Hack said.
A constitution must reflect people’s aspirations and retain their confidence, he said, adding that broad participation by communities and constituency bodies was essential to the legitimacy of the reform process.
Participants were also invited to review the latest draft of the ERC’s glossary, a public education resource intended to promote responsible language relating to ethnicity, race, religion and nationality.
The commission is gathering recommendations from its constituency bodies and invited members of the public on constitutional reform and ethnic relations.
Hack said the submissions would be recorded, analysed and consolidated into a report for the Constitution Reform Commission before the 31 December 2026 deadline.
The report would also include recommendations based on the ERC’s institutional experience and its assessment of issues relevant to its constitutional mandate.
Source: NEW ROOMS SITE
