Human Rights Today Caribbean Symposium

September 11-14, 2001

Overview

The Cayman Islands rose to the challenge of tackling new frontiers for human rights in this hemisphere with its hosting of fellow Caribbean and British Overseas Territories in a human rights symposium.

The regions' leaders - judges and lawyers, members of parliament, police and prison chiefs, key civil servants in the areas of information, education, immigration and customs – took advantage of this opportunity in September 2001. Some 150 representatives from the region joined some 200 delegates in the Cayman Islands to collectively reflect on legislative, legal, policy and practical issues impacting human rights.

During the symposium, participants discussed and exchanged ideas on fundamental human rights as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other treaties and conventions applicable to the Caribbean and British Overseas Territories.

Many international authorities supported the four-day conference, including the United Nations and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Cayman's initiative came midway through the UN's Decade for Human Rights Education, which commenced in 1995 and concludes in 2004.

The assembly called upon governments, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, professional associations and all other sectors of civil society to concentrate their efforts in promoting a universal culture of human rights through education, training and public information.

Human rights education was defined as a life-long process by which people at all levels of development and in all strata learn to respect the dignity of others and the means and methods of ensuring that respect in all societies.

In hosting this symposium, the Cayman Islands Government sought to advance the UN's effort in the region, spotlighting the importance of human rights in preserving freedom, peace and justice for all.

At the conclusion of the symposium, the assembled regional representatives passed a range of resolutions that they took with them for implementation in their home territories.