Ethnic Relations Commission


Who we are.



The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is a Constitutional body established by Constitution (Amendment) (No.2) Act No.11 of 2000 which amends Article 212 D of the Constitution to provide for the establishment of the Commission.


The genesis of the ERC lies in the Herdmanston Accord signed on January 17, 1998 that provided for the establishment of a Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC).


The CRC in its Report to the National Assembly on July 17, 1999, recommended that the Constitution shall establish an adequately-funded, suitably broad-based Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) comprising representatives of religious bodies, labour movement, the private business sector, youth and women.


The entities of each group identified one Nominee and one Substitute to serve as their representatives and on March 8, 2002 the ERC was established. The Commission operated for a number of years up until 2011 when it became inoperably. After a seven years hiatus ERC was reconstituted with the swearing-in of (10) ten new Commissioners on February 22, 2018 by H.E President David Granger.



What we do.



The ERC is a non-political body established to promote ethnic harmony and security in Guyana. Its functions which are set out in Article 212D of the Constitution are all embracing and are divided into twenty-four (24) categories.

The ERC believes that an informed and educated society is more predisposed to tolerate, respect and accommodate the diverse cultures, religious and ethnicities that constitute the Guyanese society.

Its twenty-four (24) functions listed in Article 212 D are:



1. Provide for equality of opportunity between persons of different ethnic groups and to promote harmony and good relations between such persons



2. Promote the elimination of all forms of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity



3. Discourage and prohibit persons institutions, political parties and associates from indulging in, advocating or promoting discriminatory practices on the ground of ethnicity



4. Foster a sense of security among all ethnic groups be encouraging and promoting the understanding, acceptance and tolerance of diversity in all aspects of national life and promoting full participation by all ethnic groups in the social, economic, cultural and political life of the people



5. Promote educational and training programmes and research projects which provide for and encourage ethnic peace and harmony



6. Encourage and create respect for religious, cultural and other forms of diversity in a plural society



7. Promote arbitration, conciliation, mediation and like forms of dispute resolution in order to secure ethnic harmony and peace



8. Establish mechanisms and procedures for arbitration, conciliation, mediation and like forms of dispute resolution that would ensure ethnic harmony and peace



9. Recommend to the National Assembly criteria to be considered for the purposes of deciding whether any person has committed acts of discrimination on the ground of ethnicity



10. Investigate complains of racial discrimination and make recommendations on the measures to be taken if such complaints are valid, and where there is justification therefore refer matters to the Human Rights Commission or other relevant authorities for further action to be taken



11. Monitor and review all legislation and all administrative acts or omissions relating to or having implications for ethnic relations and equal opportunities and, from time to time, prepare and submit proposals for revision of such legislation and administrative acts and omissions



12. Immediately report to the National Assembly and to all relevant authorities any proposed legislation, which the Constitution thinks, may be contrary to the constitutional provision relating to ethnicity



13. Promote equal access by persons of all ethnic groups to all public or other services and facilities provided by the Government or other bodies



14. Promote and encourage the acceptance and respect by all segments of the society of the society identity and cultural inheritance of all ethnic groups



15. Promote cooperation between all bodies concerned with the fostering of harmonious ethnic relations



16. Investigate on its own accord or on request for the National Assembly or any other body any issues affecting ethnic relations



17. Identify any analyse factors inhibiting the attainment of harmonious relations between ethnic groups, particularly barriers to the participation of any ethnic group in social, economic, commercial, financial, cultural and political endeavours and recommend to the National Assembly other relevant public or private sector bodies how these factors should be overcome



18. Monitor and report to the National Assembly on the status and success of implementation of its recommendations



19. Study and make recommendations to the National Assembly on any issue relating to ethnic affairs, including conducting studies to determine whether race relations are improving



20. Monitor and make recommendations to the National Assembly and other relevant public and private sector bodies on factors inhibiting the development of harmonious relations between ethnic groups and on barriers to the participation of all ethnic groups in the social, economic, commercial, financial, cultural and political life of the people



21. Consult with other bodies and persons to determine and specify the perceived needs of the various ethnic groups for the fostering of harmonious relations



22. Train and enlist the aid of such persons and acquire such facilities as the Commission deems necessary to accomplish its functions



23. Make recommendations on penalties, including the prevention of any political party or any persons from participating in elections for a specified period, to be imposed for any breach of provisions of this Constitution or of any law dealing with ethnicity



24. Do all other acts and things as may be necessary to facilitate the efficient discharge if the functions of the Commission



Ethnic Relations Commission



66 Peter Rose & Anira Streets,
Queenstown, Georgetown, Guyana.

+ 592-231-6265
+ 592-231-6281