A/HRC/10/11/Add.2 page 11 politically motivated violence, to build trust and confidence. One of the approaches has been to create various bilateral forums for dialogue between the two major parties which has been a hallmark of the political environment since 1998 to the present at different levels. The Government highlights that it signed the Herdsmarsten Accord (1998) and CARICOM St. Lucia Accord (1999), effectively giving up two years of government in order to restore peace and normalcy and return the opposition to the discussion table and Parliament. 26. The Government notes that Guyana has a decentralized system which gives powers and some administrative autonomy to the 10 regions. It notes progress in regard to ensuring participation of all communities and highlights the multi-ethnic character of the Cabinet, which includes an Afro-Guyanese Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary, three Amerindian ministers and six female ministers. The Government states that from 1992 it has held democratically recognized and elections accredited by international observer missions, which have resulted in ethnic, gender, geographic and political representation in the 10 regional administrations, the 65 neighbourhood councils, the 6 municipal councils. The 100 Amerindian councils and the National Toshaos Council are also elected under the new Amerindian Act and have been democratically run. III. NON-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUALITY 27. Guyana has constitutional and legislative provisions in place relating to anti-racism and non-discrimination. Article 149 of the Constitution of Guyana establishes that: (a) no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect; and (b) no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of the functions of any public office or any public authority. The Constitution specifically prohibits discrimination based on race, place of origin, political openness, or colour. 28. The Prevention of Discrimination Act (1997) prohibits discrimination in employment, recruitment, training and membership of professional bodies and promotes equal remuneration for men and women in employment. It also applies to the provision of goods and services. The Act establishes the grounds for discrimination, and is applicable to both the public and private sector. It bans discrimination on the grounds of “any characteristic which appertains generally or is in general imputed to persons of a particular race, sex, religion colour, ethnic origin, indigenous population, national extraction, social origin, political opinion ...”. Employers may introduce affirmative action or special measures of a temporary nature to promote equality of opportunity in employment. The Racial Hostility Act prohibits acts which promote hostility or ill-will based on race. 29. The rights provisions of the Constitution and the legislative framework are enforced through the courts, and article 153 empowers the High Court to grant redress of proven allegations of rights denials. The Constitution also establishes an ombudsman office to investigate complaints of discrimination made by individuals. Article 212 of the revised