Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), Shaikh Moeenul Hack, has called for Guyana’s constitutional reform process to examine whether the body has adequate powers to carry out its investigations, pointing to difficulties in compelling persons to attend.
The issue was raised during the ERC’s Constituency Consultation on Constitutional Reform, held on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal. Representatives of its ten constituencies, civil society, the Diplomatic Corps, other constitutional commissions and members of the public participated.
According to an October 13 release, Hack identified the Commission’s investigative powers as an area requiring consideration.
“He noted that the absence of a general mechanism to compel attendance in certain circumstances can present challenges and potentially delay investigations,” the ERC stated.
The Chairman called for consideration of whether the existing legal framework provides both the powers and safeguards necessary for the Commission to discharge its responsibilities effectively.
The ERC’s mandate includes promoting equality of opportunity, protecting against discrimination, encouraging participation in national life and supporting harmonious relations among Guyana’s ethnic groups.
Hack also urged broad participation in constitutional reform, stressing that the process should reflect the experiences, concerns and aspirations of Guyanese across the country. He described the Constitution as a living document which must continue to reflect the people’s aspirations and earn their confidence.
Former Chairman of the Constitution Reform Commission, Ralph Ramkarran, presented on Guyana’s constitutional development, tracing changes from Independence through the 1980 Constitution and subsequent reform initiatives. He also addressed public participation and the legitimacy of constitutional arrangements.
Participants then discussed issues collectively, with Ramkarran and ERC Legal Officer Seeta Bishundial facilitating the proceedings.
The ERC will review and consolidate the contributions into a report for submission to the Constitutional Reform Commission before the December 31, 2026 deadline. That report will also contain recommendations drawn from the ERC’s institutional experience.
Meanwhile, the consultation featured the latest draft of the Commission’s Glossary of Ethnically Sensitive Terms, which is intended to educate the public about how language and context can influence relations among communities.
ERC Commissioner and Chairman of its Media/PR Subcommittee, Neaz Subhan, explained that expressions can be interpreted differently depending on context and individual experience.
Participants offered differing views on the draft, including how particular expressions should be treated and the need to consider context.
Subhan said the document had benefited from input from University of Guyana experts and was being circulated to obtain further public feedback before finalisation and publication.
The ERC also announced that it will publish the constitutional reform feedback form on its social media platforms, allowing persons who could not attend to submit their views online.
