A/HRC/10/11/Add.2 page 22 two in the Bartica massacre. Both are in prison on remand and they are Afro-Guyanese, known criminals with previous convictions. Significantly, on 29 August 2008 the media reported that Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins and key gang members were shot and killed in a joint services operation. V. IDENTITY, LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND RELIGION 74. Guyana’s different ethnic and religious groups are free to practise, promote and enjoy aspects of their cultural identity and religion. Civil society organizations representing the Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese communities are extremely active in this respect. They promote cultural activities, inspire youth and community action and engage in a wide range of projects and programmes of a cultural, educational and community development nature. 75. Poverty, unemployment and poor living conditions undoubtedly impact on the full enjoyment of cultural life for some communities from all ethnic groups. However conditions of economic hardship appear to be disproportionately experienced by Afro-Guyanese communities. Inevitably, daily subsistence issues take priority over aspects of cultural life that may require individual, family and community resources. Concerns related to security have also evidently impacted on cultural life. It was noted that the Afro-Guyanese Buxton village did not hold a torchlight parade in the community to celebrate Emancipation Day on 1 August 2008, for the first time in many years. Buxton community members expressed considerable trauma relating to joint services operations, curfews, deaths of some individuals, the ransacking of dwellings, and general fear of further violence. 76. Claims were made that media restrictions exist that limit the amount of African-oriented television and radio programming available and the amount of media coverage available to political opposition groups. It is claimed that this is a deliberate policy on the part of the Government. In some regions, only Government-controlled radio is available. 77. The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and this is generally considered to be well respected in practice. The Inter-Religious Organization of Guyana including senior representatives of Guyana’s Christian, Hindu, Islamic and Baha’i faith groups, expressed satisfaction with the degree of protection and promotion of religious freedom. Members noted that in Guyana there is a high degree of religious affiliation and that religious institutions and leaders have considerable influence among members of their respective faith groups. 78. The Government highlights that religious festivals and holidays of all main religious groups are recognized. The celebration of Arrival Day in May recognizes all those hundreds of thousands who were brought over the centuries as slaves and as indentured labourers. In October, there is a celebration of Emancipation Day and Amerindian Heritage Month. 79. The Government notes the impact of criminal activity on cultural life and highlights that since the village of Buxton was under siege by the criminal gang (majority not Buxtonians) the traditional August celebrations to mark Emancipation Day had been severely curtailed by this reality. It rejects any accusations of discrimination in relation to the awarding of grants for such things as cultural activities and institutions.