UN committee writes Guyana over mining on Amerindian land

By Gaulbert Sutherland On In Guyana News |
Isseneru villagers during a protest outside the Office of the President on January 25th to voice their dissatisfaction over a recent court ruling that upheld a miner’s right to progress with operations on lands within the village. (Stabroek News file photo)
Isseneru villagers during a protest outside the Office of the President on January 25th to voice their dissatisfaction over a recent court ruling that upheld a miner’s right to progress with operations on lands within the village. (Stabroek News file photo)

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) has expressed concern over mining on titled land in the Amerindian communities of Isseneru and Kako and has asked government to provide information on the cases as well as to review the granting of permits and concessions without obtaining the prior and informed consent of the affected indigenous communities.

UNCERD considered the situation of the two Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) communities during its 82nd Session recently,