The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) sustained an active programme of national outreach, public education, monitoring and investigation throughout May 2026, with the Commission’s activities anchored in Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary and the broader imperative of strengthening social cohesion across the country.
Through its Public Education and Awareness Unit (PEAU), the Commission intensified its public engagement via youth programmes, national competitions, cultural participation, social media campaigns, and strategic stakeholder collaboration.
The month’s standout event was the ERC’s Awards Ceremony for its National Poetry, Song and Social Media Competitions, held on May 23, 2026, at the Seawall Bandstand under the theme “Celebrating 60 Years of Heritage, Reflection and Respect.”
The initiative formed part of the Commission’s contribution to Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee observances, providing a national platform for students and young Guyanese to give creative voice to themes of patriotism, unity, diversity and national identity through poetry, music and digital storytelling.
The Commission was also represented at the Guyana Festival Expo 2026, held from May 15–17 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. Over the three-day event, the ERC maintained a dedicated engagement booth where staff interacted with hundreds of patrons, distributed information materials and raised public awareness of the Commission’s constitutional mandate.
ERC short films championing unity, tolerance, diversity and mutual respect were screened throughout the Festival, while Jingle Competition winner Mr. Roger Hinds delivered a live performance of his winning entry before a capacity audience at the “Night of Legends” concert.
On May 12, 2026, the ERC facilitated a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training session for the management team of Excel Guyana Inc., covering inclusive workplace practices, respectful engagement, unconscious bias, and the Commission’s constitutional role in advancing harmony and mutual respect among all Guyanese.
Media Monitoring
The Commission’s Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) continued its active monitoring of traditional
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and social media platforms to identify and address statements capable of inciting racial hostility, intolerance or social division.
For the year thus far, up to May 22, 2026, the MMU issued one hundred and fifty-one (151) cautionary statements on behalf of the Commission to social media violators for varying levels and types of infractions.
The highest recorded category of infractions remained stand-alone racial and ethnic slurs, accounting for 41 recorded incidents, while intolerant, prejudicial and insensitive statements collectively accounted for 35 infractions.
Specifically, for the period April 24 to May 22, 2026:
- 8 racial slurs were recorded;
- 8 racially insensitive or prejudicial statements were identified;
- 5 xenophobic statements were addressed;
- 1 racially stereotypical statement was recorded;
- 2 statements were deemed racially divisive; and
- 3 racially derogatory comments were identified and addressed.
The Commission continues to urge citizens to exercise responsibility, respect and restraint when engaging on social media and public platforms.
Investigative Unit
During the current reporting cycle, the Investigative Unit’s consolidated statistical register reflects a total caseload of eight three (83) matters spanning the periods 2022–2026. This comprises three (3) matters from 2022–2023, fourteen (14) matters brought forward from 2024, forty-nine (49) matters brought forward from 2025, and seventeen (17) matters recorded for 2026 to date, of which three (3) were received during the reporting period.
In status terms, the consolidated docket comprises eighty-three (83) matters and remains materially concentrated within governance and active-processing stages. Twenty-three (23) matters, representing approximately 27.7%, are listed as Pending Sub-Committee Review, while seventeen (17) matters, or 20.5%, are classified as Investigation in Progress. A further five (5) matters, or 6.0%, are recorded as Pending, three (3) matters, or 3.6%, are Pending Legal Advice, and two (2) matters, or 2.4%, are at the Conciliation stage.
Finalised or closure-oriented outcomes account for thirty-three (33) matters, representing approximately 39.8% of the consolidated register. Of these, twenty-four (24) matters, or 28.9%, have been Closed by the ERC, six (6) matters, or 7.2%, are recorded as Completed, and three (3) matters, or 3.6%, have been Withdrawn. No matters are presently recorded as Referred to External Agency, Transferred to External Agency, or Pending Statutory Decision within the statistical summaries reviewed.
