IACHR concludes promotional and technical cooperation visit to Guyana

December 10, 2023

Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Human Rights Commission (IACHR) concluded its promotional and technical cooperation visit to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, which took place from November 28 to December 1, 2023. The visit aimed to strengthen the Commission's relations with the country, promote technical cooperation mechanisms, and provide guidance on human rights standards. Activities included high-level State meetings, a dialogue with organizations and participation in a promotional panel.

The delegation was led by Commissioner Margarette May Macaulay, President of the IACHR and Rapporteur for the Rights of People of African Descent and Against Racism and for the Rights of Older Persons, and Commissioner Roberta Clarke, Second Vice-President who is the Country Rapporteur and Rapporteur for the rights of LGBTI persons, who were accompanied by specialists of the Executive Secretariat.

The Commission held high-level meetings with the Prime Minister, Hon. Brigadier Mark Anthony Phillips (Ret'd), Hon. Gail Teixeira, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, and Hon. Ashni Singh, Minister of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Legal Affairs. In several other meetings, the Commission heard from sectoral ministries and constitutional agencies including four Rights Constitutional Commissions of Guyana. The delegation visited the National Toshaos Council Secretariat, and a project of construction of homes by the Ministry of Housing.

The IACHR also met with civil society organizations, United Nations agencies, CARICOM, and the University of Guyana. The Commissioners took part in a panel discussion to promote the Inter-American Human Rights System. Mme. Justice Roxane George, Chief Justice (ag) participated in the panel in her capacity as Vice-Chair of the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers.

This promotional and technical cooperation visit is in the framework of the the IACHR Strategic Plan 2023-2027, under which cooperation with Caribbean countries is a priority.

The Commission thanks the Cooperative Republic of Guyana for its hosting of the delegation and the facilitation of meetings with a wide range of public officials and non-state actors. The Commission is grateful for the information it received on the status of human rights, developmental approaches and democratic institutions.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their respective countries of origin or residence.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 284/23

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