Students debate the role of Multilateral Organisations within the Caribbean Region for Human Rights Day

‘Human Rights Should Be the Primary Focus of Multilateral Organisations within the Caribbean Region’ was the moot for the December 10 Human Rights Day 2020 Debate and Panel Discussion, hosted by UN Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean in collaboration with the EU Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and the UWI Cave Hill Guild of Students.

The presidential style debate was moderated by International Affairs Chairman of the UWI Cave Hill Guild of Students, Ravi Davis. The students gave an insightful discourse on the role of multilateral organisations in the development agenda of the Eastern Caribbean, with both sides expounding their arguments with the typical pomp and flair associated with the art of debating.

Delivering the opening statement for the proposition team, Saint Lucian Political and Law student, Rahym Augustin-Joseph, contended that multilateral organisations cannot achieve their specific objectives through technical support, without a human rights-based approach. He further maintained: “One cannot seek to be all things to people, but one thing all multilateral organisations must be, is the protector of human rights for all.”

His teammate and second speaker St. Lucian Law Student Travis Lay, added that human beings are the Caribbean’s greatest assets, therefore human rights should be a primary focus.

Members of the opposition, while maintaining that human rights are critical issues, made the case that they should not be the primary focus for international organisations. First speaker, Grenadian Law Student ,Paul McBurnie, articulated the irrationality of human rights being the chief focus for all multilateral organisations. He stressed that areas of economic concern must be the focus of MLOs.

Complimenting this notion, Kittian Political Student Kay-Jel Smithen, who wowed with his confidence and theatrical approach, charged that if MLOs’ main focus is on human rights, then they cannot build solid foundations that will ensure the rights of people are actualised through social and economic development.

Rebutting the opposition, Rahym contended that “Human rights are fundamental to the Sustainable Development Goals” and as such the Declaration of Human Rights was created first. Subsequently, the opposition took home the win and Rahym was awarded best speaker for his powerful performance.

To conclude the event, the debaters participated in a panel discussion with UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq and Ambassador to the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Malgorzata Wasilewska.

Impressed by their performance, Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska said she would be afraid to argue against any of the debaters in the room but agreed with the points of the proposition.

She passionately noted “It is not enough to celebrate Human Rights Day, when 72 years after the Declaration many people are still excluded”. She maintained that we should work to ensure all people have access to all rights as the concept of human rights begins in the home and community.

UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq, equally impressed with the level of the debate, also commended the debaters on their insightful and thought-provoking inputs. He, however, made the observation that closer attention could also have been placed on issues pertaining to gender-based violence as Human Rights Day also culminates the end of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign against Gender-Based Violence.

He maintained: “The lack of inclusion is violence in itself and we need to put a spotlight on these issues in our fight to end discrimination in all its forms”.

If you missed the event, watch a recap here: https://fb.watch/2rgdZUHVXM/