High Court discharges Robert Corbin’s case against ERC

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 20:59 by GxMedia

High Court Judge, Brassington Reynolds has discharged an injunction which was filed in 2006 by then Opposition Leader , Robert Corbin regarding to constitutionality of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC)..

Former ERC Chairman, Junior Finance Minister  Juan Edghill told the media at his office today that the lawyers for Corbinon Monday indicated that they did not wish to continue with the case when it was called before  Justice Reynolds for hearing.

He contended that the time is now ripe for the dysfunctional ERC to be resuscitated noting that its a constitutional watchdog for ethic matters of national importance. Edghill lamented that the move by
Corbin back in 2006 was geared at disrupting the mandate of the ERC.

“There must be an ERC in place whether it’s in time for local or national elections”, Edghill stated. He said too that “its a constitutional body that could sanction anybody “, he added.

Corbin had obtained an injunction against then ERC Chairman, Juan Edghill and commissioners- John Willems and Carville Duncan- that had prevented them from taking any decisions, making any recommendations or issuing any directions in the name of that constitutional body.

The then Opposition Leader had contended that after the life of the Commission had ended, unconstitutional decisions had been taken by the defendants, interference with the elections and constitutional rights of Guyanese.

The term of office of the Commission had expired in 2007, Corbin had said then, but the National Assembly had failed to follow the prescribed procedures for the reconstitution of the ERC.