ERC to redirect focus on investigations, hearings Guyana Chronicle
November 22, 2006

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THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) will be redirecting its focus on conducting investigations and hearings on outstanding complaints brought to its attention, following the recent conclusion of the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF).

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said ERC Chairman, Bishop Juan Edghill made the announcement Monday, noting that conducting the MSF, over the last year, has consumed much of the commission’s staff efforts.

He added that, with the latter completed, the ERC will be allowed to concentrate on other activities within its mandate.

“We will now be emphasising the completion of a number of complaints that have been brought before us,” Edghill reiterated.

He said the ERC will be occupied with such matters through December 15 and Public Relations Officer, Ms. Beverly Alert reported that they have received 62 complaints for 2006, in addition to 56 brought forward from 2005.

Alert explained that, with an investigative arm comprising of just two staffers, the ERC successfully resolved 67 cases, leaving 51 more to be attended.

She said among the other activities engaging the ERC’s attention is completing reports arising from the MSF, which comprised 143 community conferences, 10 regional conferences and the culminating national conversation conducted last week.

Alert said a report with appropriate recommendations will be submitted to the National Assembly, after which the ERC would be continuing with its usual tasks, including a review of operations at the Guyana Lottery Company and the complaint against the publisher of the book ‘Indians Betrayed’, both scheduled for January 2007.