On 22nd July, 2025, ERC met with the Editor-in-Chief of Stabroek News Anand Persaud to air its concern about a cartoon published by the Stabroek News daily newspaper on 9th May, 2024 by cartoonist Paul Harris.
The cartoon illustrates a young man dressed in tattered clothing, wielding a gun emblazoned with the word crime, whilst someone pleads with him. The ERC was gravely concerned by the apparent racial undertones illustrated and sought to engage with the cartoonist, Mr. Paul Harris since November 2024. Regrettably, Mr. Harris did not respond to ERC’s invitation.
A meeting was subsequently arranged between the ERC and the Editor-in-chief of Stabroek News. Mr. Persaud maintained that publication of this cartoon was within the ambit of freedom of expression, entrenched in Article 146 of the Constitution of Guyana. He further asserted that the cartoon was a commentary on the link between youth, poverty, and crime in Guyana and that there was no racial stereotyping present.
Both the Working People’s Alliance and the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly Guyana (IDPADA-G) publicly condemned the cartoon for its racial stereotyping and racial insensitivity.
The ERC respects the vital role of the press and artists in our multi-ethnic society. However, ERC reiterates its call for responsible freedom of expression by all Guyanese people, especially as we approach the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
