Opposition Leader Joe Harmon is seeking answers on Guyana’s no vote to the resolution against an end to racism at the United Nations.

While Guyana attempted to change the vote moments after it was made during a United Nations meeting, the record of the vote remains in place, since Guyana will need to follow the proper procedure to change the vote.

During his press conference today, Mr. Harmon indicated that the Opposition has since written to the Foreign Minister seeking information on the issue and the actions that have been taken to address it.

“I write to be advised by you as to when you were made aware of this situation, and having been made aware, what actions were taken by you to address same. Further, I wish to be advised whether Guyana has commenced the administrative steps to have the vote reversed, when said application was made, and where the process stands as at April 12, 2020. I must also to express my serious concern at the palpably misleading statement issued by Mrs. Caroline Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations on this matter. At a minimum, a retraction of the statement and an apology to the people of Guyana are appropriate steps for Mrs. Rodrigues- Birkett to take in the circumstances”, the letter stated.

The Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett in a statement earlier this week indicated that Guyana had in fact voted in favour of the resolution to end racism.

However, a video recording of the vote at the UN meeting proved that Guyana voted against the resolution.  In official UN records posted online, Guyana’s vote was also recorded as a vote against the resolution and it was pointed out that the country would have to write to the UN Secretariat to register its desire to now change the vote.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has been tightlipped on the matter.  The resolution which echoed a global call for concrete action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance was put forward and sponsored by Guyana under the last Government.

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