The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is furious over statements made by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International Decade for People of African Decent – Guyana, Olive Sampson.
On December 5, 2022, at the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in Geneva, Sampson told the General Assembly about the recent halting of subvention by the Government of Guyana.
She further alluded to the decision of the Government to halt funding as “discrimination” against persons of African Descent in Guyana and and the marginalization from significant economic opportunities.
The ministry however expressed grave concern over her “totally erroneous and misleading statements.”
“The Government of Guyana refutes the contents of Ms Sampson’s statements in their totality; statements which must be condemned and that can only serve to incite hatred, intolerance and mistrust in our society – defeating the very purpose of the Forum,” the ministry said.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry further stated that “it is appropriate to retrace the genesis of this Forum and the consistent support which the People’s Progressive Party administration has given to the efforts of the international community to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.”
The Ministry stated that at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance convened in Durban, South Africa over the period August 31 to September 8, 2001, Guyana was among the 170 countries adopted the historic Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
“The Government of Guyana stands firmly against the practices of racial incitement, hatred, bigotry, prejudice and injustice and hopes that out of this Conference will come a clear set of concrete recommendations in keeping with the objectives of the Conference as set out in General Assembly resolution 52/111 to preserve the principles of equality and non-discrimination as central pillars of our modern civilization,” the administration cited.
The ministry further noted that it was unfortunate that at such a significant forum, the CEO “chose to export the divisive policies of her organization and to demonstrate the narrow racist bias that continues to cloud the judgment of its members.”
The Ministry said it will vigorously continue to promote unity in diversity and pursue its One Guyana vision to ensure that every citizen is accorded a dignified existence and with due respect for their rights and with equality before the law.
