UN Human Rights Day 2022 A Success

This analogy, shared by a leading Barbadian disability rights advocate, aptly encapsulated the sentiment of the evening, as the United Nations Barbados and Eastern Caribbean and the Government of Barbados, joined by activists and partners, jointly celebrated Human Rights Day 2022. 

In her contribution to the Panel Discussion on the topic “Inclusion to Ensure Fairer Societies for Present and Future Generations” held at UN House on December 12, two days after the global Human Rights Day observance, Former Government Senator and representative of the Barbados Council for the Disabled, Kerry-Ann Ifill, said this ‘invitation to dance’ was critical as there were “pockets of exclusion in every facet of everyday life”.

“To include us, you do so by ensuring that our needs are met and, most importantly, that our opinions are valid,” she passionately implored the gathering of Ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society representatives, Government officials, and UN officials.

During the hybrid event, panelists representing the LGBTQI community, persons with disabilities, the elderly, Indigenous people, and other marginalized groups, were united in the call for change and more meaningful inclusion, which resonated with the inter-generational audience.

Marilyn-Rice Bowen, President of the Barbados Association for Retired Persons, strongly appealed for seniors to be invited to sit at the table and for their views and opinions heard. She also underscored the importance of participating in inter-generational fora, which would help to build a stronger community.

“We too have rights, and our rights should not be trampled. We need to be included and we need to feel a part of the whole,” she maintained.

Speaking on behalf of all marginalized groups, and in particular members of the LGBTIQ community, Michael Rapley, Founder and Chair of EQUALS, dismissed the notion that inclusion of marginalized individuals or groups, would only benefit them, charging that diversity and inclusion benefits the wider society.  

He also raised the issue of limited data on marginalized groups, which could adversely impact efforts of inclusion.

“How do you include a population that is excluded because you do not capture the information on them? There is exclusion in terms of collecting data – therefore we do not know who is out there and who needs to be protected,” he lamented.

Joining online from Dominica, Ferdison Valmond, Youth Activist and President of the Kalinago Inspirators Youth Group, noted that inclusivity wrought many positive benefits to society including productivity and access to resources.

“I believe that in order to achieve inclusiveness, you have to create a society in which we allow these voices of all individuals and groups to be heard and their needs met – not only some…,”  the youth advocate charged, noting that  when inclusiveness is accomplished – stability will be maintained and the change that is needed to embrace it.

He further noted that when inclusiveness is accomplished, stability will be maintained. He gave an example of more resources being given to the Kalinago people to combat climate change and to boost resiliency as a result of inclusion efforts.

UN Affirms Commitment to Human Rights agenda

In addressing the forum, UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq noted that during the past year, the UN had contributed with Governments and other stakeholders  in several areas directly related to human rights from support to strengthening social protection systems, to addressing the need for more resilient and sustainable food systems, and providing support to the development of legislation and policies on women, persons with disabilities , children and youth amongst others.

“As United Nations, we are very committed to ensuring that our work makes a difference in the exercise of all human rights by women and men of all ages, and notably, those who are at risk of being marginalized. And while we have taken very positive steps to create a space for the voice of youth, with the creation of the Youth Advisory Group, or with women through different reference groups with civil society that have been created , we also recognize that there is still more to be done,” Mr. Trebucq contended. 

The UN Head assured that moving forward in 2023, the UN was determined to further its work with various groups including persons with disabilities, migrants or refugees, the elderly and LGBTQI people.

Government calls for greater awareness of shared humanity

Minister of Labour, Social security and the Third Sector in Barbados, the Hon. Colin Jordan, a well-known human rights advocate, in delivering the Feature Address, said he was happy to have been invited by the UN to co-host the commemorative activities, and underscored the need for greater awareness of the human element when addressing the issue of rights.

“It is important for us to remember that we are taking primarily about human beings. I say this because my lived experience does not suggest that everybody recognizes that we are all human beings. It is unfortunate, but it is a reality, and it is a reality that we all ought to face. This is why on days like Human Rights Day we ought to reinforce that we are talking about the rights of people just like us – people who may look different, sound different …but who are connected by our fundamental humanity and that is something that we ought not to lose sight of."

He maintained that the Universal declaration of Human Rights ought to be the foundation upon which we build. “I look forward to us continuing to build sense among our people, and all people that we are all human beings, that we are all part of the human family, that we deserve respect and we deserve to be able to express ourselves as we consider fit within the context of good order in our countries.”

The panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Nicole Foster, Head of Law Research Unit at the University of the West Indies, also evoked discussion on myriad solutions to foster inclusion including teaching the value of inclusion from a very young age, disability sensitization training, providing greater access to employment and digital information for persons with disabilities, removal of ageism as it relates to employment , and access to data and information on marginalized groups.

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of a contemporary artistic piece by Painter Alisha Smith, that seeks to highlight the multi-faceted nature of humanity, and the fact that, as individuals ,we are all more than our jobs, disabilities, sexual orientation, race,  gender or any other defining characteristics. The piece, which also stimulated much discussion, mirrors a Human Rights Day social media campaign launched by the UN in the lead up to this year’s observance. Plans are in train to have the piece eventually displayed at UN House as well as at the Ministry of Labour.

Following the formal proceedings, partners gathered in the foyer at UN House for a Cocktail Reception to continue this important discussion, a fitting forerunner to a planned launch of a year-long awareness campaign to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2023.