Universal Human Rights Day celebrated

By Melissa Bryant
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

OAS Representative for St. Kitts and Nevis Starrett Greene

The commemoration was established in 1950 and since then the UN General Assembly has invited all states and interested organisations to celebrate the day as they see fit.

Although there are no official activities planned to commemorate this significant day, SKNVibes contacted Organisation of American States (OAS) Representative for St. Kitts and Nevis Starrett Greene who praised the UN for the milestone, as well as the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis for its adoption of the UDHR upon its Independence in 1983.

He reinforced the OAS’ position as a leading multi-lateral body in the defence against violation of human rights.

“Through the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Court on Human Rights the OAS has worked to ensure that the rights of every citizen, as enshrined in the Constitution, are protected and defended.

“These rights include the right to assemble, the right to free speech, the right to education and the right to possess differing views, whether they are religious, political, or ideological, without being persecuted,” he said.  ~~Adz:Right~~

Greene noted that these rights have been violated in some Caribbean countries and implored the respective governments to work to ensure that these wrongs are corrected.

“Over the years the region has sported an exemplary human rights record, however, improvement is needed in a number of areas. The onus is now on human rights bodies and organisations and other defenders of human rights to raise awareness of these areas that are lacking so that they can be addressed in a timely and appropriate manner,” he stressed.

“This is an opportunity for the region as whole to become more aware of the UDHR document and the individual rights that are granted to us as human beings,” Greene concluded.