Based on reports of racial discrimination on public transport, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has issued a public advisory reminding operators’ of their role to provide their services equally and in a non-discriminatory manner.
In the advisory from the Commission, it disclosed that upon investigations of complaints received from commuters against owners and operators of public transportation, it was found that minibuses are in the habit of refusing to transport persons of particular ethnic groups, especially in cases where the ethnicity varied from that of the operator.
Further, the ERC noted that “it is against the law to discriminate against a persons based on race, religion, place of origin, gender or disability or any feature which distinguishes difference.” To this end, it was advised that the owners of the services educate their drivers and conductors about the law.
The Commission is calling on citizens to play their part and for them not to be bystanders to these actions, rather to stand in solidarity with the affected parties. Further, they intend to work together with the police to put an end to this act and urged Guyanese to respect and be tolerant of each other’s race, religious beliefs and culture.
The public is advised that should they be refused entry into any form of public transportation while another is readily accepted, to contact them on telephone numbers 231-6265, 231-6479, 231-6281 and 231-6473 and provide them with registration number of the vehicle so as to determine its ownership.
