HRC Emphasises that Human Rights are for All
Published 1st December 2006, 12:45pm
The first 3 days in December all enjoy a special significance in the international community because of the human rights issues that they publicise. The Cayman Islands Human Rights Committee (HRC) would like to highlight the importance of each of these days and how they relate to the Cayman Islands.
The 1st December was first established as World AIDS Day by the World Health Organisation in 1986 in order to focus global attention on the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. However, from the moment scientists identified HIV and AIDS, social responses of fear, denial, stigma and discrimination have accompanied the epidemic. This discrimination has spread rapidly, fuelling anxiety and prejudice against those living with HIV and AIDS. On World AIDS Day, the HRC would therefore like to illustrate that HIV and AIDS give rise to real human rights concerns alongside the biological and medical challenges.
The 2nd December is International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, in recalling the date of the adoption, by the United Nations General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others in 1949. This is the last International Day for the Abolition of Slavery before the two-hundredth anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British colonies, which will occur on the 25th March 2007. The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan has noted that “this landmark will be a powerful reminder of centuries of struggle and progress in combating slavery – but also of the fact that we have not managed to eliminate it completely.” In his annual address, the Secretary- General continued:
“Contemporary forms of slavery – from bonded labour to human trafficking – are flourishing as a result of discrimination, social exclusion, and vulnerability exacerbated by poverty. Because of our failure to alleviate poverty, defend the human rights of all, and address impunity effectively, potential victims are unable to protect themselves against exploitation and abuse.”
The Deputy Chair of the HRC, Vaughan Carter, had a similar message:
“A recent article in the Industrial Law Journal has indicated that ‘modern forms of slavery are not an unknown phenomenon in the United Kingdom.’ All states, whether it be the United Kingdom or the Cayman Islands, must therefore remain vigilant, especially if they are either heavily dependant on migrant labour or are on known human-trafficking routes.”
The 3rd December is International Day of Disabled Persons. This is being celebrated in the Cayman Islands by the Sunrise Centre, in conjunction with its 20th anniversary, in an effort to improve the public awareness of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. The United Nations has recently advanced this cause significantly with the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. As the local body charged with the promotion and protection of human rights, the HRC welcomes this development and hopes that this will serve as the model for the improvement of laws which relate to persons with disabilities in the Cayman Islands.
Speaking with reference to all three days of recognition, the Chair of the HRC, the Hon. Alden McLaughlin, stressed that human rights applied to all:
“As the public is becoming increasingly aware of the work of the HRC, the message that underscores all of its many activities is that all persons – irrespective of whether they have HIV or AIDS – irrespective of whether they have a disability – irrespective of their sex; or race; or age – all are equally entitled to human rights.”
If you would like to contact the HRC, please address written correspondence to PO Box 30664, Grand Cayman KY1 1203 or alternatively, emails can be sent to humanrights@gov.ky.
For further information contact: Human Rights Committee