The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has stated that it will not be distracted from its work in light of negative comments regarding its Chairman’s participation at the UN Permanent Forum of People of African Descent (PFPAD4), currently being held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
In a press release, the ERC expressed deep concern over the negative sentiments surrounding Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack’s representation of the Commission at the forum.
The ERC also noted that there is a distinction between the Commission being represented and individual Commissioners being represented.
The Commission stated that in both 2023 and 2024, Commissioner Khafra was unanimously selected to represent the ERC. However, in 2024, at the very last moment, Commissioner Khafra withdrew from representing the Commission and instead chose to attend as a representative of the Guyana Rastafarian Council.
For the 2025 forum, the opportunity to attend was extended to Commissioner Norris Witter, and no objections were raised by any Commissioner, the ERC said.
“On Thursday, 10th April, after 10pm, Commissioner Witter withdrew his intention to attend and requested that Commissioner Ras Khafra replace him. It should be noted that travel to the forum was scheduled for 13th April. Based on his current attendance, it appears that, at the time of Commissioner Witter’s withdrawal, Commissioner Khafra had already secured sponsorship to attend the forum as a representative of the Guyana Rastafarian Council. Furthermore, such a change would have required a decision from the wider Commission regarding the matter of replacement,” the release stated.
The Commission, on this note, emphasised that it will not be distracted by “the theatrics of persons seeking to cloud our vision and work,” stressing that it has consistently addressed complaints from individuals of all races and ethnicities in a fair and transparent manner, including those from the African Guyanese community.
“The Commission has consistently prioritised African culture and issues through its participation in Emancipation observances, the provision of training on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the development of a Glossary of Terms aimed at eliminating derogatory language used to describe African Guyanese and other ethnic groups,” the ERC said.
It added that it strongly believes that, in order to holistically address injustices such as reparations, the African community requires the support of all people, regardless of ethnicity, in advocating for justice for the crimes of slavery committed against the ancestors of African descent.
