Dear Editor,
The United Nations is marking 2011 the International Year for People of African Descent. The purpose of this year is an acknowledgement that Africans have been, and are being, affected by racism and this year is dedicated to right that wrong. In the words of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon: “People of African descent are among those most affected by racism. Too often, they face denial of basic rights… Such fundamental wrongs have a long and terrible history.” In December 2009, the General Assembly in proclaiming this year passed a resolution “citing the need to strengthen national actions and regional and international cooperation to ensure that people of African descent fully enjoy economic, cultural, social, civil and political rights, to advance their integration into all political, economic, social and cultural aspects of society, and to promote a greater knowledge of and respect for their diverse heritage and culture” (UN News Release).
The fact that Guyana is participating in the year’s event is an acknowledgement by the government of its support of the United Nation’s position that there is racism towards Africans and efforts must be made to correct this. Since this is the case it is expected the government would have put systems in place to right these wrongs, not behave as it has done thus far with the development of a programme to mark the year that excludes major African groups and leaders. Were the government serious about this year, Africans through their representative organizations and leaders should have been allowed to develop their programme, to be approved by government whose role it is to be a facilitator, not a planner. ACDA, other African-centered organizations and the PNC, which represent a significant African constituency have publicly made known their exclusion from involvement and meaningful participation.
It is an affront to the African community for the government to arrive at a programme to the exclusion of their organizations. Additionally to deliver a programme to the United Nations in observance of the year without the knowledge of the African community is deceiving and wrong.
The fact that the PPP, an Indian dominated government, with a known track record of marginalizing Africans, their communities and being disrespectful to their leaders, to continue along this path in this significant year is a demonstration of their contempt of the seriousness of the UN’s cause and a continuation of some of the very violations this year sets out to eradicate.
In this environment Africans would have to redouble their struggles to secure the respect for UN basic human rights that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis