Ethnic Relations Commission

The genesis of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) lies in the Herdmanston Accord which was signed on January 17, 1998 by Mrs. Janet Jagan of the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic and Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte of the Peoples National Congress. The Accord, brokered by the CARICOM Mission that included Sir Shridath Ramphal, Sir Alistair McIntyre and Sir Henry Forde, sought to provide a peaceful solution to the political impasse that had gripped the country following the December 1997 Regional and General Elections. The ERC is here to serve all Guyanese and persons living or working in Guyana, including: Persons who believe they were discriminated against based on their ethnicity Persons who believe others were discriminated against because of their ethnicity, i.e. the complainant does not have to be the victim Persons or Agencies wanting to promote harmonious ethnic relations