WASHINGTON, DC — ST. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday (Dec. 10) joined the global community in marking World Human Rights Day 2025, with its representatives at the Organization of American States (OAS) reaffirming the Federation’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all people.
During a sitting of the Permanent Council here in Washington, DC, Minister Counselor and Alternate Representative Augustine Skerritt underscored the nation’s dedication to upholding human rights.
“…the government and people of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis joined the international community in commemorating International Human Rights Day, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to the principles of dignity, equality, and justice for all,” Skerritt told the Council.
This year’s theme, “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials,” highlights human rights as a fundamental pillar of daily life across the globe.
Skerritt noted that St. Kitts and Nevis continues to align itself with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as core international and inter-American human rights conventions and their related treaties.
He added that as a small island developing state, the Federation is acutely aware of the unique vulnerabilities faced by people worldwide.
Against that backdrop, he reaffirmed St. Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to safeguarding the rights of the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable, including Afro-descendants and Indigenous peoples. That commitment also extends to advancing the rights and well-being of children, empowering women and girls, and ensuring full inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
In his message marking the day, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres highlighted the challenges the world continues to face in upholding human rights, noting a shrinking civic space in recent years.
“We have grave violations that signal a flagrant disregard for rights, and a callous indifference to human suffering,” Guterres said. “Together, we have the power to confront these injustices: by protecting the institutions that make human rights a lived reality.”
He emphasized that every day, the United Nations works alongside civil society and governments to help people realize their basic rights—from providing food and shelter to supporting education, clearing mines, protecting the environment, empowering women, and promoting peace.
Guterres urged people everywhere to play their part in defending vulnerable communities, stressing that “we cannot do it alone.”
“This work depends on all people, everywhere, taking a stand. When we protect the most vulnerable, when we refuse to look away, when we speak up for the institutions that speak up for us, we keep human rights alive.”
Skerritt, for his part, reiterated that all human beings must be valued and respected, and that their contributions—regardless of status, gender, ability, or origin—are essential to the strength and sustainability of democratic societies.
“On this International Human Rights Day, Saint Kitts and Nevis renews its pledge to recognise, respect, and protect the rights and dignity ascribed to all under the relevant United Nations, Inter-American, and other international accords,” he said.
