A/HRC/44/16/Add.1 1. The new Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana came into office on August 2nd, 2020, after what are considered historic and unprecedented circumstances, even at the global level, following the March 2nd General and Regional Elections. 2. Repeated, and documented, efforts by officials in the Guyana Elections Commission and the members of the former Government on March 5th and 13th 2020 to derail the will of the electorate to choose their representatives in accordance with the Guyana Constitution contributed to this five (5) months delay. 3. These elections were observed by the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States, the European Union, the CARICOM and the Carter Centre and all concluded that March 2nd Elections Day had been conducted in a free, transparent and fair manner. During the 5 months following these elections, 100 countries represented in the UN, Commonwealth, OAS, European Union and the CARICOM all supported the Guyanese people’s efforts to peacefully defend their right to choose their government and to ensure that the legitimate government of Guyana was installed after the recount of all the ballot papers and several court cases to thwart the will of the people. 4. In the midst of these events, Guyana was also experiencing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic within its borders. 5. As the new Government we regret Guyana’s tardiness in responding to the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, A/HRC/44/16, dated March 20, 2020. 6. The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is firmly committed to the Universal Periodic Review process which provides a useful opportunity to take stock of our progress and to strengthen engagement with our citizens and civil society organizations in the promotion and protection of Human Rights. 7. The Government of Guyana expresses appreciation to all delegations for the interventions and recommendations made during its Third Cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and is pleased to present the Addendum to the Working Group Report which outlines its position on the recommendations received. 8. Guyana received a total of 199 Recommendations, of which: 140 are SUPPORTED and 59 are NOTED. 9. The table below outlines the Government’s position and comments on specific recommendations. The recommendations are listed in the order in which they appear in the Report of the Working Group. 2 Recommendations Position Comments 100.1 and 100.2 Noted Guyana is willing to accommodate and cooperate, and, in fact has over the many years, cooperated with all UN bodies. However, a commitment for a standing invitation to all special procedures may not be within the capacity of the government at this time. This is an issue that will continue to be open for consideration. 100.3 Noted Will consider. 100.4 Noted Will consider. 100.5 Noted Will consider. 100.6 and 100.7 Supported Despite not being a party to the Convention, Guyana remains firmly committed to the Pledges made during the Global High-Level Segment on Statelessness convened by UNHCR as part of its Executive Committee meeting in October 2019. Guyana will continue to engage nationally, guided by is Constitution, national laws and policies and in partnership with international organisations, to end