Message from the Editor
Posted on May 24, 2007
Filed Under From The Editor |
by Dr. Lloyd Barnett
The peoples of the Caribbean have shared in the historic and mighty struggles against slavery and colonialism. Today they not only struggle against the aftermaths of the exploitations of the past but the immediate pains of globalisation and cultural domination. Our individual safety is endangered by criminal violence and official neglect. Our collective security is endangered by narco-crime and terrorism. Our civil and political rights are threatened by excessive official response to the threats and endemic abuse of power. Our social rights are undermined by environmental degradation and our economic rights by corruption, unconscionable conduct and insensitive administrations. We need now more than ever to cooperate as we face the threats and pressures of the present.
Caribbean Rights will seek to increase the awareness of our Caribbean sisters and brothers to the importance of their inherent dignity as human beings, sensitize them to their entitlement to the effective realisation of their human rights and mobilize them in the protection and defence of these rights.
In this first issue we have articles relating to our most recent Caribbean institution, the Caribbean Court of Justice, humanism in public affairs, the dislocation of an ordinary citizen as a result of mining operations, the Haitian situation and the judicial sequel to the Grenadian Revolution. We hope that this variety in subject-matter and the geographical spread will engage your interest and enlist your support as we seek in future issues to maintain and heighten the standards.
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4 Responses to “Message from the Editor”
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Dear Editor,
I congratulate the Independent Jamaican Council for Human Rights on the launch of a new journal “Caribbean Rights” which will be dedicated to the discussion of human rights issues in the Caribbean.
This new publication will provide us with the opportunity to receive the views of the Caribbean commentators on the performance of our governments and judiciaries in the area of human rights. It is fitting that we should assume responsibility for monitoring our own performance and not leave this to agencies outside the region.
I welcome the new publication and hope that it will receive the support necessary to guarantee its survival.
The Rt. Hon. Mr. Justice M.A. de la Bastide, T.C.
President of the Caribbean Court of Justice
Dear Editor,
For centuries the people of the Caribbean have been faced with numerous challenges. From slavery to independence and beyond we have endured the hardship of toiling for recognition of our fundamental rights and have in many ways emerged victorious in having these rights enshrined in our legislation or recognized and secured by judicial decisions in our Courts. With each struggle we have grown as a people and as a result have acquired for ourselves a sense of dignity and pride in our achievements. Our travail has made us infinitely more aware of the need to continuously fight for recognition of our rights and our ability, through informed and determined application of our Constitutions, laws and international human rights instruments, ensure that they are preserved and deepened.
As we continue in our pursuit to secure and entrench the rights of our people, both individually and collectively, I take this opportunity to commend “Caribbean Rights” for bringing this vision to life and wish you every success along the journey ahead as you reach out to the citizenry of our Caribbean through your publication.
The Hon. Mr. Justice Brian Alleyne,
Chief Justice, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Dear Editor,
I am delighted that at long last an initiative has been taken to provide a forum for the examination of issues pertaining to fundamental rights and freedoms in the Caribbean and moreso by a group of individuals who have demonstrated a longstanding conviction to the promotion of human rights and whose human rights credentials cannot be surpassed.
Congratulations!
Douglas Mendes, S.C.
Attorney-at-Law of Trinidad and Tobago
Dear Mr Editor, I need frequent update of the current issues so that i will be able to become familar with the latest happening.
Gideon Davis in Connecticut, the 2nd largent Jamaican population outside of New York.