SVG-HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION (SVGHRA)
December, 2003

The year 2003 was quite hectic and challenging – challenging because we desperately tried to access new funding for Projects dealing with HIV\AIDS, ESC Rights and Gender Concerns. We were not successful. Hectic, because we have done quite a lot of work in the field of human rights. However, we managed to survive with the small amount of funds from the previous year.

WORK DONE BY THE SVGHRA

On the 26th February, the SVG-Human Rights Association sponsored a One-Day Seminar\Workshop on “ Human Rights Training” with special emphasis on:

• “The Content and Enforcement of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as Enshrined in the U.N. Covenant on ESC Rights.”
• “Conflict Resolution as a Means of Settling Disputes and Avoiding Violence”.
• “The Content and Enforcement of Civil and Political Rights.”
• “Reform of the Criminal Justice System on Juveniles in SVG”.

This session was held at the Chateaubelair Community Centre. The Honourable Minister of Telecommunications, Science, Technology and Industry\Parliamentary Representative declared the said Workshop open.

On the 23rd and 24th April, 2003, the Association a two day Seminar\Workshop. This was held in Kingstown at the Anglican Pastoral Centre. The topics dealt with were:

• “The Bill of Rights in the Constitution of SVG, 1979. To What Extent, if any, should these Rights be Extended In the Proposed New Constitution, expected to be formulated for this State?
• “Conflict Resolution As a Means of Settling Disputes and Avoiding Violence” and
• “The Content and Enforcement of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as in the U.N. Covenant of ESC Rights”.

The topics for both Seminars are similar, because we were targeting different areas of the country. Both activities were attended by over 55 persons – some from civil society, church, other NGO organizations and Government employees.

HIV\AIDS

The SVG-Human Rights Association is a member of the National NGO Grouping which was formed about a year ago. This Grouping is made up of several NGOs through out St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

One of the goals of this Grouping is to do extensive work with persons with HIV\AIDS. Funding was received from Family Life International to do some community based work on this dreadful disease – HIV\AIDS. A small amount of funding was given to the SVGHRA to start work on addressing Stigma and Discrimination against people with HIV\AIDS. With that funding the SVGHRA sponsored the following Panel Discussions.

On Wednesday September 17, 2003 –Sandy Bay - The Topics covered were :

• “The Right to Health including HIV\AIDS”
• “The Impact of HIV\AIDS on the Family/Community and Children”
• “The Social Effects of HIV\AIDS on the Society”
• “Stigma and Discrimination as it relates to HIV/AIDS and Human Rights"
• Human Rights and Health Including HIV\AIDS Focusing On The Linkages Between Human Rights As It Relates to HIV\AIDS.

Two other Panel Discussions were held at Layou and on the Island of Bequia using the same topics above, as our goal was to send the same message. All Panel Discussions were successful, and the relevant hand-outs were given out to participants, to educate them of this very important topic.

ACTIVITIES PARTICIPATED BY THE SVGHRA

The SVGHRA is represented on a Body of the Gender Affairs Department which deals with Gender Concerns, in the Ministry of Social Development. The President of the Association made two radio broadcasts on Gender Issues at the invitation of the said Department. On the 8th March, 2003 we assisted in organizing activities to celebrate “International Women’s Day”.

At the SVG-Teachers Union March and Rally focussing on the “Male Child” – the SVGHRA was represented. Boys are not doing as well as girls educationally. This rally was organized to help address the problem.

On 21st February, 2003 we received an invitation from the Emanual High School, Kingstown to speak at the Students Young Leaders Rally on the topic “How does Poverty Affect a Person’s Human Rights”.

At the launching of the Country Co-ordinating Mechanism on HIV\AIDS|STIs, the SVGHRA was represented. The Association is officially part of that Unit which is the main organization fighting HIV\AIDS\STIs in the country.

The Garifuna Foundation held a meeting on March 7th 2003, to review the findings of the Regional Consultation and make plans for the consolidation of the Network. The SVGHRA was represented.

On the 12th March, 2003 the President\Victor Cuffy delivered a lecture on “Human Rights” to the Prison Officers at the invitation of the Superintendent of Prisons.

The SVGHRA was part of the Steering Planning Committee at the Gender Affairs Department, Ministry of Social Services, to plan activities for International Day of the Family and Related Issues on April 22, 2003 which was observed on May 15th under the Theme: “Our Family – Our Hope”.

On May 19th we attended the Opening Session of the a session on “Provide Home Care for the Elderly”. We delivered a paper on the Human Rights as it Pertains to the Elderly”. This was done by Mrs. Phyllis Ralph-Browne\Vice President.

The Association was representated at a Meeting of the Ministry of Health and the Environment to develop a National Health Plan 2004- 2008. This exercise took place on June 4th ,2003.

The Gender Affairs Division held a Meeting of the Proposed Inter-ministerial Committee on which the SVGHRA is represented. The topic discussed was to formulate a Strategic Plan.

The SVG-Human Rights Association was invited by the House of Assembly to a Meeting of the Select Committee of Parliament to look at two Bills (1) Freedom of Information Bill and (2) The Privacy Bill, on Thursday 12th June, 2004 and a follow-up to the said Meeting on 17th June, 2003.

Lecture on “ The Rights of the Child” was done by the Co-ordinator at the Liberty Lodge Boys Training Centre on 20th August, 2003.

Participated on the National Council of Women o Consultation on Constitutional Review – September,27th, 2003.

The SVGHRA is represented on the National Committee on the Rights of the Child, and as such was part of an Exhibition to mark the International Day on the Rights of the Child – November 20th, 2003.

Assisted in the Training of new Police Recruits at the Police Training School. The SVGHRA provided training in Human Rights and the International Code of Conduct of Law Enforcement Officers.

Presently, the Government is in the process of Reviewing the Constititution of SVG. This process would take approximately two years. The SVG-Human Rights Association has submitted a document outlining several changes to the proposed New or Amended Constitution. We hope to repeat this process in 2004.

The Association is visited daily by persons who seek advice and information on Human Rights and other issues. This is an integral part of our work. There is no Legal Aid in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to address this great need. Legal Aid is only received by persons who are charged with the crime of murder. Even then, the aid is granted only at the Criminal trial in the High Court. It is not given at the Preliminary Inquiry level or at the Appeal Level.

There are numerous request for advice and assistance by women who have suffered Domestic Violence and abuses of their children. Also, the question of Maintenance for children through the avenue of legal proceedings in the Family Court is another perennial concern. The Association needs financial and other assistance in really addressing these problems adequately.