Many Guyanese take for granted the right to political and public participation which is enshrined in United Nations (UN) Declarations. In Guyana, the Trade Union Movement, under the leadership of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, began the fight for universal suffrage (one-man-one-vote) and internal self-government to make this right possible. Refer below the UN’s position.
About participation
UNITED NATIONS-Political and public participation rights play a crucial role in the promotion of democratic governance, the rule of law, social inclusion and economic development, as well as in the advancement of all human rights.
The right to participate in political and public life is important in empowering individuals and groups, and is essential to eliminate marginalization and discrimination. Participation rights are inseparably linked to other human rights such as the rights to peaceful assembly and association, freedom of opinion and expression and the rights to education and to information.
Many obstacles to equal political and public participation exist. These barriers may include direct and indirect discrimination on grounds such as race, colour, descent, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, birth, disability, nationality or other status. Even when there is no formal discrimination in connection with political or public participation, inequalities in access to other human rights may impede the effective exercise of political participation rights.
OHCHR’s work on equal participation
The Human Rights Council has dedicated increasing attention to the issue of equal participation in political and public affairs. In 2018, after five regional consultations, OHCHR released new guidelines on participation. The guidelines outline the basic principles of the right to participate in public affairs and include practical recommendations that cover participation in electoral and non-electoral contexts, nationally and internationally.
Key documents
Participation Guidelines
These guidelines are designed to assist States and all relevant actors in conducting their respective activities relating to participation.
Latest reports
Meeting report – Parliamentary round table, 22 June 2023 – Parliaments and women’s rights: Implementing the CEDAW Convention, realizing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for all
A/HRC/53/44: Report on the expert workshop on possible ways to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the Human Rights Council
A/HRC/51/13: Civil society space: COVID-19: the road to recovery and the essential role of civil society – Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
In its resolution 47/3, the Human Rights Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report, examining in detail the key challenges that civil society faced in the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, both online and offline, and also examining best practices.
