GHRA calls for greater inclusion of indigenous leaders in COVID-19 decisions

Urging a new and inclusive response to COVID-19, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) yesterday said that the continued promotion of the mining industry above national health interests by shielding it from restrictions pertaining to the virus grows more questionable.

“What more evidence does the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) need to conclude that COVID-19 outbreaks are linked to mining activity? Gazetting of lockdowns in hotspots like Aranka (Region 7) (radius of 10 kms.) and Moruca (Region 1) two weeks ago contrast sharply with the decision of the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) to lock-down 21 villages as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak. Had the SRDC, for example, been supported three months ago when they blocked access to mining vehicles, they may not now be faced with COVID outbreaks in at least three communities. Similarly, had authorities in Moruca been incorporated into planning at an earlier stage, they would have been better prepared to counter the reportedly casual attitude of community members”, the GHRA said in a statement.

Moreover, the GHRA said that the SRDC decision prompts the question as to why Regional Toshaos Councils are not empowered to play a more directive role in community-based anti-COVID-19 strategies.

The GHRA said that it is understandable that centralized direction of the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force is required to enforce curfews, nonessential travel and rogue elements in the mining sector. It said that a centralized response is also crucial to counter the worsening impacts of illegal gold-mining in Venezuela being channelled into this country through the Cuyuni River. From recent reports, the GHRA said that the trafficking of women and girls, smuggling of gold for sale here, mercury-contaminated exports of fish and widespread river destruction are all worsening.

This centralized approach, however, is not so effective in implementing public health strategies such as social distancing or contact tracing, the GHRA noted.

“Neither the Police nor the military have either the training or the resources to play this role. The Police in Region 1, for example, have an outpost in Moruca, but cover a sub-Region that takes hours by boat to traverse. Moreover, the staff of State agencies such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Forestry Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency, normally responsible for enforcement in the interior, are depleted as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.

“All of this suggests a more robust community-based strategy would benefit from an enhanced role for indigenous leadership. Such a role would better tap-in to prior community experience in combatting epidemics, such as HIV, malaria and dengue. Contact tracing, for example, is best conducted as close to the community as possible, whether interior or coastal. People in communities know each other, are aware who might be vulnerable to contagion, even before information is volunteered”, the GHRA stated.

It added that the familiarity of so many of the country’s medical personnel trained over the years with the worldacclaimed Cuban community health programmes, especially in the areas of testing and contact tracing, should give local health personnel a head-start implementing such a strategy.

Overlooking indigenous expertise is not limited to the NCTF. The GHRA noted that the recently reported meeting of the Borders Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with its Brazilian counterpart made no mention of any participation of indigenous leadership.