Rights and integrity fundamental to development, says Prime Minister

Prime Minister Phillips speaks at the anti-corruption expo today

Rights and integrity are central to development, Prime Minister Mark Phillips said on Monday at the fourth annual Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Expo at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The event brought together more than 45 government agencies, constitutional bodies, international organisations and civil society groups to highlight how their work supports transparency, accountability and human rights protection across Guyana. This year’s theme, “Our Everyday Essentials: Rights and Integrity,” emphasised that good governance must be experienced in the daily lives of citizens.

“Rights and integrity influence daily life. They determine how people experience services and shape the environment in which development takes place,” Phillips said. He pointed to fair employment, protection for women and children, disability access and accountability within public institutions as key priorities. He also highlighted the need for regional cooperation on trafficking, cybercrime and migration.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira said the expo was designed to make complex topics accessible. “Rights and integrity are not abstract. They’re deeply personal,” she said, noting that many citizens are unaware of state initiatives. “We are happy to have the whole areas… trying to make it more real and more interactive with the public.” Exhibitors used quizzes, demonstrations and educational tools to engage the public.

Senior Research Officer Anil Persaud, Coordinator of the International Human Rights Law Certificate Course, said the theme reflected the work of the human rights education programme. “We’re proud about the work … they have a solid understanding of how that work connects to … human rights and anti-corruption architecture,” he said, emphasising that rights are lived experiences, not distant concepts.

Among exhibitors, the Ministry of Home Affairs, represented by Investigational Liaison Officer Oijah Mussenden, highlighted efforts on human trafficking, migration and foreign-national support. The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, represented by Administrative Assistant Kenneth Edwards, focused on Indigenous rights, land issues, and free, prior and informed consent.

Other booths showcased anti-corruption reporting mechanisms, disability services, youth programmes, digital governance, mental health support and legal aid systems.

The two-day Expo continues Tuesday with public-education sessions and panel discussions, reinforcing the message that rights and integrity must be understood, practiced and accessible to all Guyanese.