Govt withdraws Rights Commission motion
─ to facilitate more consultations
─ “is very sad that a commission, as important as this, did not have the support of the Opposition in the committee” – Min. Hughes
─ refutes opposition’s claim that govt did not consult with stakeholders
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, July 31, 2018
The government side of the National Assembly last evening withdrew the adoption of the motion to approve the nomination for members of the Rights of the Child Commission.
The motion was presented by Minister of Social Cohesion and Chairman of the Committee of Appointments, Dr. George Norton. The minister explained that in deciding the way forward for the commission, the committee agreed to accept the list of entities approved by the National Assembly during the 10th Parliament.
Minister Norton noted that all efforts were made to contact the entities, however, the responses received were ‘very limited.’ Although follow-up was made via telephone calls, a significant number of responses were still outstanding, hence advertisements were placed in the newspapers to target those who were not responding, the minister explained.
Further, Minister Norton added, it was also agreed that an updated list of entities to be consulted will submit nominees to be appointed. These, he said, must reflect only the agencies that were functioning.
The Opposition Members of Parliament alleged that the government did not consult with entities including the Christian community on the nomination process.
In refuting the allegations, and labelling it as ‘unfair’, Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes asserted that the committee, with support from the staff of Parliament, were actively trying to reach out to the respective organisations, some of whom chose not to respond.
“It has been extremely challenging. I am hoping that from this intervention, we can use this voice within this honourable house to encourage these entities, some of which have been listed and named by the Opposition members as not being consulted.”
She noted that it “is very sad that a commission, as important as this, did not have the support of the Opposition in the committee,” and recommended that the motion be withdrawn.
In conclusion, Minister Norton requested a withdrawal of the notion so as to allow the Opposition to attend the committee meeting to decide on the way forward.
Synieka Thorne
Image: Keno George