Ministry of Amerindian Affairs - Statement on US Department of State Report 2010 on Trafficking in Persons

The US Department of State Report 2010 on Trafficking in Persons cites Guyana as remaining on tier #2 watch list and further represents that "Guyana is a source country for men, women and children subjected to trafficking in persons, specifically conditions of forced prostitution and forced labor.” This position proffered in the report becomes specific with regards to indigenous women as highlighted; "Groups particularly vulnerable to human trafficking in Guyana include Amerindian females, foreign women (such as Brazilians) in prostitution, and children". The report does not present substantiated data but from all appearances is based on anecdotal and speculative opinions. Whatever investigations or study of the issue of trafficking in persons and indigenous women most definitely were done through stereotyped lenses and this is highly objectionable. Therefore the credibility of the report is questionable.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs; the focal Ministry on indigenous development issues provides services that address the widest possible range of social issues faced by Amerindians. The Ministry finds the references in the report on indigenous women as a particularly vulnerable group to trafficking in persons and forced prostitution as being inconsistent and contrary to what obtains in our country.

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Regions 8 and 9 receives ATVS

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs on June 21, 2010 handed over 3 All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) to Villages in Regions 8 and 9 at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Thomas and Quamina Streets, Georgetown.


Handing over the ATVs on behalf of the Ministry was Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Nigel Dharamlall, while Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and other staff of the Ministry witnessed the event.

Felix Williams and Ekufa Mewsha, Toshaos of Karisparu, Region 8 and Parabara Region 9, respectively, along with Mathenson Williams, Community Development Officer (CDO) for the North Pakaraimas Region received 1 ATV each.

(From L to Right) Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai; Community Development Officer of North Pakaraimas Region Nine, Matheson William; Parabara Toshao Ekufa Mewsha; Karisparu Toshao Felix Williams; and Permanent Secretary of Amerindian Affairs Nigel Dharamlall.

Boosting the communities’ capacity with vehicles is an initiative by Government to hasten development. The ATVs will improve the transportation needs of goods and services of the Village as it will reduce the travel time from one point to another.

Parabara Toshao Ekufa Mewsha; Community Development Officer of North Pakaraimas; and Karisparu Toshao Felix Williams rev their ATVs.

Given the Region’s topography, the ATVs are best suited for the Regions. The total cost for the ATVs is approximately $9.8M and was funded by the Ministry’s 2010 Capital Programme.

Toshao Williams noted that residents of his community travel by foot and aircraft which are not convenient at all times. He stated that in cases of medical emergencies, the ATV will be easier to transport the sick to the aircraft and also goods to neighbouring markets. Williams expressed gratitude to the Ministry and President Bharrat Jagdeo for the ATV which will bring tremendous benefits to his community.

Permanent Secretary of Amerindian Affairs Nigel Dharamlall presents the ATVs to Parabara Toshao Ekufa Mawsha; Karisparu Toshao Felix Williams; and the Community Development Officer of North Pakaraimas Matheson William.

Matheson Williams indicated that the ATV will help him to expedite his tasks of assisting Amerindians in a timely manner. He highlighted, that not only will the ATV be used to execute his work, but will also be rendering other services to the communities.

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Kaieteur News article misleading and fibbed “Suspected murder rocks Amerindian Hostel occupants” –Ministry of Amerindian Affairs

The concocted and misleading statement by Kaietuer News dated Tuesday, June 2, 2010 “Suspected murder rocks Amerindian Hostel occupants” is highly inaccurate and far from the truth. Kaieteur News in its effort to maintain a market for the Newspaper resorts to speculative reporting and disregards all the principles of journalism. This Daily has become like a poisonous arrow over the years and by its actions has exposed itself as the new opposition.


The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs would like to clarify the circumstances, and misguided report by the Kaieteur News surrounding the death of Mrs. Evelyn Daniels, a 63 old Amerindian woman from Matthews Ridge, Region 1, at the Amerindian Hostel, Princess Street, Georgetown.

It is alleged that on May 31, 2010, the now deceased Daniels was found inflicting fatal wounds to herself at the Amerindian Hostel. It must be noted that the staff of the Amerindian Hostel immediately rushed the patient to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Following with the same level of urgency the matter was reported to the police. The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs promptly responded to the emergency call of the Administrator of the Facility by dispatching a team consisting of the Permanent Secretary and two Project Officers. Internal findings by the team indicated suicide. However, the Ministry awaits the findings of the police investigations

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