BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MORE than 20 individuals, who are representing various stakeholders in cultural heritage preservation across the Caribbean, are currently participating in a three-day workshop aimed at developing the legal framework necessary for the protection of underwater cultural heritage.
Representatives from St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, Aruba, British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten are participating in the workshop, which is being held at the Ocean Terrace Inn.
And according to the organisers, at the end of the workshop, it is expected that the legal framework would give teeth to and lend to the implementation of the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Preservation of Underwater Cultural Heritage Convention.
In his opening remarks, McClean Hobson, Director of Maritime Affairs, recalled in 2005 when he received a complaint indicating that cannon and other valuable artefacts which constitute the Federation’s underwater cultural heritage were pilfered.
He also recalled that his question to the complainant was where is the law which is needed to be enforced.
Hobson said a look at Section Nine of the National Conservation and Environmental Protection Act of St. Kitts and Nevis revealed that it had limited reach in the protection of this aspect of our cultural heritage and, as such, help was sought from local stakeholders.
As part of this thrust, St. Kitts and Nevis became party to the Convention in 2009 and this workshop is another step is ensuring that for generations to come the underwater cultural heritage of the region is preserved and properly managed.
Hobson expressed hope that the deliberations would bear much fruit in crafting the most-effective legal framework which would stand as guard to the Caribbean countries’ underwater cultural heritage.
Himslchuli Gurung of the UNESCO Kingston Cluster Officer for the Caribbean – who also delivered remarks at the opening ceremony – described the Convention as UNESCO’s “main tool to improve the legal and operational protection of the underwater cultural heritage, and it sets high protection and research standards and facilitates cooperation among member states”.
She said with eight Caribbean countries signed as parties to the Convention, it underscores the importance of the underwater cultural heritage
Attorney General the Hon. Jason Hamilton described the workshop as timely and informed that the issue at hand forms “an important part of the government’s legislative agenda.
He suggested that underwater artefacts are “under growing threat and vulnerable to exploitation” by treasure hunters, commercial fisherman and others.
“The Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs are committed to ensuring that an appropriate legal framework put in place to protect, manage and promote our underwater cultural heritage”.
The three-day workshop will include presentations by Dr. Ulrike Guerin of the Secretariat for the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, and Dr. Craig Forrest, a Professor of Law in Australia, among others.
The workshop concludes tomorrow (Jun. 27).
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