Dear Editor,
The interpretation of the Amerindian Act by the Attorney-General was the most inaccurate interpretation of the law that I have ever seen. His Facebook post states the following: “The refusal of entry of two politicians into the meeting of the National Toshaos’ Conference currently ongoing at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre has assumed currency in the public domain. It is being contended by those who have been refused entry that Section 43 (3) (b) of the Amerindian Act 2006 guarantees them a right to attend the meeting, presumably, because of their ethnicity.
Section 43 (3) (b) is expressed in simple and clear language. It reads: 43 (3) The National Toshaos’ Council shall – (b) allow Amerindians to attend its meetings. This section clearly requires the National Toshaos’ Council to permit persons to attend its meeting. In other words, persons can only attend the meeting by invitation of the National Toshaos’ Council. It is not a free-for-all, even for Amerindians. I have confirmed that the persons who were refused entry were not invited by the National Toshaos’ Council to its meeting. Therefore, the decision to refuse entry is in order”.
How can anyone with mastery over the English language not understand the meaning of the words “shall allow”. According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries, the word shall (modal verb) means, “used with I and we for talking about or predicting the future”. This dictionary also states that the word ‘allow’ means, “to let somebody/something do something; to let something happen or be done”. Therefore, anyone with a good grasp of the English language would understand the words “shall allow”, in the context of the Amerindian Act, to mean that in the future they are to let Amerindians attend the National Toshaos’ Council! The fact that this was not done and given the political statements by the VP and AG on this decision, which clearly breached the law contained in the Amerindian Act, the conclusion may be drawn that the current administration is trying to create disunity in the Amerindian community and supporting the breaking of the law.
CRG urges the Amerindian community to ensure that their rights under the law are not subverted. This may quickly become a slippery slope that will undo the significant progress made over the years to gain Amerindian rights. No one needs a few taking advantage of the many due to financial gain let political influence divide the Amerindian community. Such behaviour should not be embraced and should be rejected. The taking of Amerindian possessions will become easier if the tribes are divided and pitted against each other. The ills of manganese mining is already taking root upon Amerindian land. The health of the next generation is being threatened. The Amerindian community must regain unity to protect against exploitation.
Sincerely,
Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of
Guyana
