The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations collaborated with the Department of External Affairs to host a training workshop on reporting on human rights for civil society organisations. Thirteen representatives of twelve of Saint Lucia’s civil society organisations attended this training at the Bay Gardens Hotel in Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, on Tuesday, 13th August 2019.
Ms. Michelle Brathwaite, National Human Rights Officer, from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Office in Barbados was the main presenter at this training. Among other things, the training provided participants with information about the International Human Rights System, the human rights treaty bodies and reporting processes, and the role of civil society in the processes of United Nations Human Rights System.
Some of the international human rights conventions that Saint Lucia has ratified and is required to submit reports on include the following:
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
- Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
More information about the conventions can be obtained by clicking on the text above and the presentations delivered can be accessed by clicking on the text below:
- Introduction to International Human Rights System
- Treaty Body Reporting
- Universal Periodic Review and the United Nations Human Rights System
- Civil Society and the United Nations Human Rights System
Saint Lucia’s reports for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), CEDAW and CERD are due and after this training it is anticipated that civil society organisations in Saint Lucia will begin to submit reports on their views on human rights in Saint Lucia to the Human Rights Bodies. If you are a member of a civil society organisation, you are encouraged to encourage your organisation to participate in this initiative.
The views and comments of the general public on Saint Lucia’s adherence to its obligations under the above listed human rights conventions can also be submitted to the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for consideration via email: saintluciacsocoalition@gmail.com or via the comment box below this page.