The Government has assured residents of Isseneru and interested stakeholders that a response to the recommendations of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) ruling on the violation of their rights will be done by the stipulated deadline.
Prime Minister Brigadier Retired Mark Phillips on Tuesday made this assurance at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.
His statements come after Opposition Member of Parliament Vincent Henry told members of the panel that existing indigenous rights are under ‘serious’ threat by the current Government.
He was referring to the landmark ruling by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on the petition brought by villagers of Isseneru.
The IACHR ruled that their rights were violated after their ancestral lands were granted for mining activities by the Government.
Following the ruling, the IACHR had given the Government two months for a response on how they intend to rectify this matter.
“We, unlike what was represented, have until June the 20th to respond to the recommendations of the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights, a response that we’ve committed to ensure we hand it in before the deadline of June the 20th,” the Prime Minister said.
The IACHR recommended full reparations for material and immaterial damages that the villagers had experienced. The IACHR is an autonomous organ of the Organisation of American States (OAS) with a mission to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere. Phillips said “I take this opportunity to assure all present and virtually that the Government of Guyana, the parliamentarians, is committed to upholding the rule of law in Guyana and international law.”
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