The historic Upper Mazaruni land titles case, filed since 1998, began on Monday in the Supreme Court before Justice Jainarine Singh.
Six Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) Amerindian communities had filed suit nine years ago, claiming land in the Upper Mazaruni District, which they say is traditionally theirs.Since then, the communities of Paruima, Waramadong, Jawalla, Kako, Phillipai and Warawatta have been awaiting their day in court.
Attorney-at-law David James, a member of the team of lawyers representing the Amerindian communities, explained yesterday that the case is the first of its kind in Guyana, in which the indigenous peoples are asking the court to deal with land rights issues based on traditional ownership.
James said the land titles granted to the communities in 1991 by the then administration, did not reflect ownership of their traditional land, so they had approached the new government formed in 1992 to correct what they thought was a grave error. Not satisfied with the outcome of their request to the current government, they then took the matter to the court in 1998, seeking a legal resolution to the issue.
Evidence was taken on Monday and yesterday, following which, Justice Singh adjourned the matter to January 23 and 24, 2008.
Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes heads the team of lawyers representing the Upper Mazaruni communities, which includes Stephen Fraser and James. Attorney-General Doodnauth Singh, Martina Bacchus and Sunil Scarce are representing the defendant, who is the Attorney General.
