IDPADA-G to redouble efforts against discrimination and marginalization of people of African descent

IDPADA-G to redouble efforts against discrimination and marginalization of people of African descent

Chairman of the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana (IDPADA-G), Vincent Alexander has stated that IDPADA-G will redouble its efforts in the struggle against discrimination, marginalization and oppression of African descendants as the United Nations has declared another Decade for People of African Descent.

The new decade is themed “People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice and Development.”

In declaring the second decade, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk said it was important to secure the full rights and freedoms of people of African descent, adding that all states must effectively confront the legacies of enslavement and colonialism, and dismantle systemic racism.

“Reparatory justice”, he said, must be delivered.

At a press conference on Monday, Mr. Alexander said Türk’s charge, and the declaration of a second decade, are apt.

He said while the Guyana Government touts reparations, it has openly and brazenly contended that there are no issues to be addressed that are specific to recognition, justice and development for people of African descent. 

“We in Guyana are still victims of the remnant of enslavement, colonization and I there say found ourselves in a state of neo-colonialism, all of which embrace elements that are discriminatory, in relation to the people of African descent, in particular. And that alone gives reason why the second decade is very much applicable and relevant. But not only do we have remnants of those systems but we also are actively suffering from infringements of the Universal Declaration Human Rights,” the IDPADA-G Chair said.

Alexander said Afro-Guyanese continue to face discrimination, and their rights are often infringed upon in breach of the Universal Declaration Human Rights.

“We see this in the realm of the public service, the security forces, the award of contracts and the evolving oil sector. The right to life, Article 3 of that declaration. There are continuing problems of extrajudicial killings, adding victims to those who over the years have so suffered. We have also see that Article 5 which speaks about freedom from torture continues to be breached here in Guyana,” he said.

He said Article 6: Right to Recognition Before the Law; Article 7: Right to Equality Before the Law; Article 8: Right to Remedy and Article 10: Right to a Fair Trial have all been breached with the government weaponizing the justice system against African Guyanese political leaders, and senior public servants. He said justice is also delayed and denied due to political manipulation of the administration of justice.

“And one can easily quote the example of IDPADA-G itself, which on one hand has been denied its subvention on very spurious reasons and on the other hand, having brought this matter to the court, the decision seems to be languishing since this matter was brought in 2023, after the suspension of the suspension in 2022,” Alexander noted.

He also highlighted that there is the refusal of the President to confirm the acting Chancellor and Chief Justice.  

Notwithstanding the many challenges that it faces, Alexander said IDPADA-G will continue its efforts locally and at international level to expose the status quo and demand respect for, and protection of the rights of African Guyanese in alignment with the goals of the second decade. (Svetlana Marshall)

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