75 Years of Human Rights: Barbados Honours Human Rights Defenders
12 December 2023
Caption: A brighter future for all: Labour Minister Hon. Colin E. Jordan, M.P., UN Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq, Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee and other members of the diplomatic corps and civil society join their candlelight during the vigil, honouring all human rights defenders past and present around the world.
Barbados celebrates Human Rights Defenders: Young voices, activists honoured on 75th anniversary
Bridgetown, Barbados, December 12, 2023 – On the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Barbados joined a global chorus in celebrating the human rights defenders who tirelessly champion the cause of humanity. In a joint event hosted by the United Nations, the Canadian High Commission, and the Government of Barbados, local and international representatives came together to honour three remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of the Declaration:
Caption: Maria Marshall, UNICEF Youth Advocate for the Environment; Ranako Bailey, Youth & Gender Activist; and Kerry Ann Ifill, Women & Disability Rights Activist, stand together, advocating for climate justice, gender equality, and the full inclusion of persons with disabilities. Their voices challenge inequalities and inspire positive change worldwide.
Maria Marshall, UNICEF Youth Advocate for the Environment, has been a vocal advocate for climate justice, urging world leaders to listen to the voices of young people most affected by the climate crisis.
Ranako Bailey, Youth & Gender Activist, fights for gender equality rights and the empowerment of young people, challenging inequalities and fostering inclusivity within her community.
Kerry Ann Ifill, Women & Disability Rights Activist, advocates for the full inclusion of persons with disabilities and champions the rights of women, particularly those living with disabilities.
Caption: UN Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq, delivering remarks at the beginning of the event at the Canadian High Commissioner's residence, moments before honouring three Human Rights Defenders, to an audience of international and local government attendees, and members of civil society.
Didier Trebucq, UN Resident Coordinator, hailed the Declaration as a "lighthouse" that has illuminated the path towards sustainable development, stressing, "Without it, our understanding of human equality might not have been enshrined in laws around the world."
He linked the spirit of the Declaration to the UN's "leaving no one behind" motto, highlighting the urgency of inclusive progress.
He further emphasised that "behind every social change… there has always been a person or a group of persons 'fighting the fight,' putting themselves and their lives on the line."
Caption: Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee delivering opening remarks at her official residence, moments before honouring three Human Rights Defenders, to an audience of international and local government attendees, and members of civil society.
Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee, underscored the vital role of human rights defenders in promoting equality and equity.
"We recognize and support their work," she affirmed, acknowledging the risks they face and calling for their voices to be heard. "Human rights are at the core of Canada's engagement around the world, and we will always stand up for them."
Caption: Minister of Labour, Social Partnership Relations and the Third Sector, the Hon. Colin E. Jordan, M.P, passionately emphasised protecting everyone's rights, declaring dignity for all and pledging the government's unwavering commitment to eliminating discrimination in Barbados during his remarks.
Minister of Labour, Social Partnership Relations and the Third Sector, the Hon. Colin E. Jordan, M.P. emphasized the crucial need to safeguard everyone's rights, stating, "Every person deserves dignity," and pledging the government's unwavering commitment to "ensuring that discrimination has no place in this country."
Caption: Members of government and the diplomatic corps join together after the moment of silence honouring the human rights defenders along with Maria Marshall, one of the human rights defenders honoured in the evening.
As a poignant symbol of hope for a brighter future, the event concluded with a one-minute candlelight vigil, reminding everyone of the ongoing struggle for a world where human rights are respected and protected for all.
The Barbados commemoration exemplifies the global spirit of the anniversary, urging both individual and collective action towards a more just and equitable world. As Minister Jordan aptly stated, "The responsibility of upholding human rights rests with all of us. Let us all, in our everyday activities and interactions, practice fairness and kindness, and together, ensure that the principles of the Declaration remain relevant and attainable for generations to come."
In the face of ongoing challenges, the stories of these passionate advocates and the collective call for action offer a beacon of hope, reminding us that the fight for human rights is a continuous journey worth embarking on together. By practicing equality and equity in our everyday lives, we can honor the legacy of the Declaration and contribute to building a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
