ERC COURT ACTION INTENDED TO DISCOURAGE VIOLATORS

The Ethnic Relations Commission, (ERC), has moved to the courts recently, and is working vigorously to stop the spread of racial incitement among Guyanese, especially on social media.

The ERC commenced legal action against eight defaulters- three in December, 2020, four in January and one so far in February, 2021. When their cases were called in the Georgetown Magistrates Court, five persons pleaded guilty to offences committed separately. The charges filed were for exciting hostility or ill will on the grounds of race under the Racial Hostility Act and for causing racial or ethnic violence or hatred under the Representation of the People Act.

The five defendants who pleaded guilty- John Gobin, Lashonna Chester, Stacy Smartt, Glynis Gibson and Tiffiny Greene were all fined for the offences committed on separate dates.

The two defendants who pleaded not guilty - Surendrapaul Rampersaud and Steve Anthony Barakat will attend court separately when their cases resume. Barakat’s case at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court was adjourned by Magistrate Leron Daly to March 1, 2021 for trial while Rampersaud’s matter was adjourned to March 19 by Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Fort Wellington Magistrates Court, West Coast Berbice. A charge for the eight defendant Ms. Suckie Persaud was filed on Tuesday February 15 by the ERC and she is expected to appear at the Leonora Magistrates’ Court on March 1, 2021 to answer the charge.

The ERC is again urging citizens to promote tolerance and understanding, especially towards those of different ethnicities for a better country.

Ethnic Relations Commission

February 17, 2021