Press Releases

The following statement on the theme, Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: Fighting intolerance, was made by Hon. Min. Dr. Vindhya Persaud at the General Assembly of the IPU on Tuesday, March 14, 2023:

President of the IPU Assembly and fellow Parliamentarians, when intolerance affects any nation, it impacts every nation and threatens peaceful coexistence. Our Parliaments remain pivotal in achieving the goal of national and global peace, understanding and mutual respect. Consistent commitment towards eradicating the culture of intolerance will be the catalyst towards a more peaceful world.

Guyana is multi-ethnic, and culturally and religiously diverse, and Government’s policy promotes unity and celebrates this diversity. We are cognisant that the strength of our democracy relies on parliamentary ethos which rests on a strong, progressive constitutional foundation.

Guyana’s Constitution espouses the protection of fundamental human rights of all the people of Guyana.  

In 2003, the Constitution was amended, creating  five Rights Commissions - the Human Rights, Ethnic Relations, Women and Gender Equality, Rights of the Child and Indigenous People’s Commissions - with the intention of curbing intolerance and inequality.

The Parliament of Guyana adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2007, ensuring that all legislation crafted reflect equal opportunity and are gender neutral.

Guyana has ratified 11 human rights treaties and incorporated these responsibilities, including education, prevention of gender based violence, child protection, employment, social security and labour, into national legislation.

Violence of any kind, and particularly against women, stems from deeply rooted intolerance. Guyana is developing more expansive laws,  offering wider umbrella of protection to family members.

Our Parliament has diverse ethnic and political representation, including rotating representatives of multiple small parties.

Women constitute 35% of the National Assembly. The Equal Rights Act Chapter 38:01 ensures equality for women in the workplace and the Prevention of Discrimination Act 26 of 1997 prohibits discrimination in employment, and promotes equal remuneration for men and women in employment who perform work of equal value.

There are legislated National Holidays of the major religions and ethnic groups, reflecting our religious and cultural harmony.

For true inclusion, all citizens must be engaged by Parliament.

The Speaker’s Youth Parliamentary Debates provide for young people  across the country to freely express their views on national issues  in a formal parliamentary setting.

All Sittings of the National Assembly are livestreamed and the public may attend Sittings of the National Assembly. The Speaker’s suggestion box allows citizens to communicate their concerns directly to him. When Bills are committed to the scrutiny  of a Special Select Committee, members of the public and subject specialists can make inputs by submitting oral and/or written comments to the Committee.

Guyana’s Parliament continues to evolve and remains a democratic space committed to the reduction of intolerance and exclusion. As peaceful coexistence continues to be challenged by intolerance, it is incumbent on all of us to be resolute in creating just legislative models in our Parliaments to promote the inclusivity we desire.