The Issues

National strategy for HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination discussed

The issue of stigma and discrimination for persons living with HIV/AIDS was the theme of a two-day workshop at the Spice Island Beach Resort in Grand Anse.

The workshop was designed to create public awareness and to development a national communication strategy. The national strategy will evolve from a regional strategy designed by Dr. Rovin Deodat, PANCAP Consultant, who was the facilitator for the workshop.

Director of the National AIDS Directorate, Caroline Alexis Thomas, in reviewing the major HIV/AIDS communication activities, outlined the advocacy and anti-stigma and anti discrimination campaign for Grenada. Some of the strategies include the establishment of a human rights desk, conducting of workshops and training of persons who are living with HIV/AIDS in advocacy skills.

The workshop also featured discussions on understanding stigma and discrimination and the regional communication strategy.

During the discussions it was explained to participants that stigma is the attitude while discrimination is the behavior. Some of the problems caused by stigma and discrimination include preventing people from getting tested even if they suspect they might be HIV positive; fear from seeking treatment upon diagnosis and prevent communities, families and partners from providing education, care and support for persons with HIVAIDS.

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants identified five target groups for a national approach. These are faith-based organizations, employers and supervisors, general public, youth group and vulnerable groups.

The Grenada Human Rights Organisation Inc was represented at the workshop and welcomed the decision to establish a human rights desk as a means of combating stigma and discrimination for persons living with HIV/AIDS.

CONCERNS AT HM RICHMOND HILL PRISONS

STATEMENT FROM THE GRENADA HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATION INC. in response to a request from INMATES on REMAND at the Richmond Hill Prisons, St. George's

Date: June 15th, 2001

At the official of the GHRO HOUSE on Lower Lucas Street, last Friday afternoon, the 8th of June, 2001, GHRO Inc member Dr. Winston W. Thomas shared with participants the contest of a letter recieved by the GHRO Inc from inmates on remand at Richmond Hill Prison compound.

The essence of that communique is an enlisting of the support of this paramount domestic human rights organization in making direct appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations behind the walls of the said punitive and correctional facility.

The inmates have summerized their complaints into (16) points, which they believe are violations of their human rights.

GHRO Inc has been asked to do its best with regards the publication of the plight of these incarserated individuals. The call had been made in light of the apparent violation of one of the fundermental rights of every human being, that of protection against discrimination and inhumane treatment. Another reason for the reverberating cry from these inmates has to do with the fact that internationally, it has now become legitamate to challenge any government to uphold the rights it has pledged to respect.

GHRO inc has been able to carry out its own assessment of the information provided by the inmates on remand, and is saddened by the evident credibility of these documented irregularities. GHRO has thus concluded that human rights abuses regularly occur at the Richmond Hill Prison. It is therefore obvious that the prison community or inmates is a vulnerable sector of marginalized Grenada citizens existing in a hostile environment with poor human rights standards. GHRO believes that the Grenada prison community particularly its administrative arm, ought to be a more human rights conscious community. It appears that our prison authorities are in dire need of an educational program focusing on the inelieble, constitutional and universally accepted rights of every human being.

GHRO Inc wishes to inform and remind our people that Grenada has signed and ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as other internationally recognized and accepted human rights instruments. GHRO Inc therefore strongly condemns the many indications of human rights violations at the Richmond Hill Prison, as we are aware that the recognition of the inherent dignity and the equal and inaliable rights of all members of the human family, is the foundation of freedom justice and peace.

GHRO Inc calls for an immediate public enquiry into the allegations of human rights violations at the Richmond Hill Prisons. GHRO Inc also calls on the Minister of National Security, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell to give the nation an account of the status of human rights observation and practices at the Richmond Hill Prisons in his next national address.

GHRO Inc will continue to do all in its power to promote greater awareness of human rights standard and a better informed appreciation of same.

GHRO Inc is a local voluntary, activist movement that works impartially to prevent violations of people's fundamental, civil, political and constitutional rights by any state or individual.

GHRO Inc objectives are to promote human rights standard, as well as to monitor human rights abuses; to promote and protect the rights of vulnerable sectors of the population, particularly senior citizens, children, students, men, women, employees, the marginalized, people with disabilities, HIV Aids, etc and; To educate citizens about their (a) universally accepted rights; (b) Constitutional rights and; (c) Inalienable rights

GHRO INC WRITES COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS............

Grenada Human Rights Organization (Incorporation)

15th June, 2001

Mr. Roy Raymond
Acting Commissioner of Prisons
Her Majesty's Richmond Hill Prisons
Richmond Hill
St. Geroge's

Dear Mr. Raymond,

Greetings from the entire membership of the Grenada Human Rights Organization Inc. (GHRO Inc)

GHRO Inc is pleased to have learnt that the hungry strike undertaken by inmates on remand have ended their strike action.

We are however cognizant that not all of their complaints have been adequately addressed, since according to the information we have, they (the inmates) have made a sixteen (16) point request.

In light of the above, GHRO Inc wishes to bring to your attention that inmates at the Remand Block in the Richmond Hill Prisons have complained to GHRO Inc about alleged violations of their human rights. GHRO Inc has studied the complaints very carefully and feels obliged to remind you that in the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human rights (UDHR) Adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of he United Nations on 10th December 1948); 'whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world; Furthermore, Article 5 of the UDHR says,"No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment."

The American Convention on Human Rights, signed at the Inter-American Specialized Conference on Human Rights, San Jose, Costa Rica, 22 November 1969 , says in Article 5 that "every person has the right to have his physical, mental, and moral integrity respected. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhumane, or degrading punishment or treatment. All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person". Punishments consisting of deprivation of liberty shall have as an essential aim the reform and social readaption of the prisoners."

In light of the above international Declaration and Covenant, both of which the state of Grenada are party to, GHRO Inc. Issues the enclosed statement calling for an immediate public inquiry into conditions and practices at the Richmond Hill Prisons.

In closing, we wish to remind you sir, that the Grenada Constitution gurantees citizens the right to complaint as well as the right to be heard before an impartial tribunal for the purpose of addressing such complaints.

GHRO Inc, is willing to assist work the revelant administrative authorities in addressing the concerns raised by the inmates.

Sincerely yours,
Milton Coy
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Another Issue
THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

There have been growing concerns regarding the right of the child here in Grenada.

Interestingly, this month - April is being observed as Child Abuse and Protection Month, a campaign by the Grenada National Coalition on the Rights of the Child.

Local as well as regional media have been highlighting these concerns.

BELOW ARE SOME OF THE CONCERNS:

St. George's, Grenada: (LaBayeNews) Why should the Grenada National Coalition on the Rights of the Child - GNCRC chose to threaten the Government in relation to the scandalous affairs of the Sapodilla Home?

According to GNCRC, Government has failed to act in the best interest of those who are affected at the Sapodilla Home.

Allegations are abound of children in care being pregnant and others having regular sex sessions with young boys from the area. Some, its alleged, have even taken up residence in what one local man described as the buccan on the grounds of the Home.

A long time resident in the area, who has a culture of correctional practice, speaks of the girls spoiling the area by their behaviour. A former senior policy maker within the Ministry responsible for overseeing the Sapodilla Home accepted the allegations of rampant sex and included drug taking within the Home. The former official asked not to be identified but insisted that the problems should not be laid at the Government's doorstep but at those who run the Home. The official implied that the Home was privately owned. However, the facts in relations to the ownership of the Home should not scure the responsibility of Government and the Child Welfare Authority CWA.

The GNCRC say they are very concerned about reports and inquiries about children who are presently placed at the Sapodilla Home and the Richmond Hill Prisons. This august body in the forefront of advocacy for child rights and protection is slightly disingenuous in claiming to have learnt by way of media reports about what the Grenada Informer newspaper called girls abused.

The 14 year old child who is being held at the Richmond Hill Prisons shows the woefully inadequate juvenile justice system that exist in Grenada. A retired social worker, when shown the facts of the case said boy we've failed this child at every level, but let me tell you something you don't know, and in your business you have to say alleged, men in authority have had their way with this particular child. He went on to say "do you know that this child you are researching has a crack habit?" The child's official record will demonstrate that she is undoubtedly a problem child. There are reported evidence of her running away from the care of the authorities on several occasions. An insider confirm that the young girl admitted getting her fist taste of crack while being in care. The child gives a graphic explanation in her words, "of cutting up drugs and taking crack". She is due in courts very soon. The child is well known among officers of the courts, social workers and even the GNCRC who has been given a case study on the little child.

The GNCRC should not wait for external forces to nudge them into acting, nor should they be cautious because some among their numbers are concerned about financial issues and their linkages to Government. The GNCRC apparent weakness is perhaps reflected in their press statement choosing to back away from acting in the interest of the child on whose behalf they advocate, by offering to report the Government to external agencies.

"Government's failure to act in the best interest of those who are at the Sapodilla Home will leave us with no alternative but to inform the relevant regional and international organizations who are working for and on behalf of children and been enquiring of us about those situations. We trust that Government will deliver the relevant social services interventions urgently, as to remedy those apparent contraventions to the convention on the rights of the child."

These issues being highlighted by the Informer newspaper, are very grave and disturbing. The basis for human rights is that it is fundamental. It does not discriminate. In Grenada, we have a uphill task. The state failings represent us all. But those of us who are concerned about human rights, I can assure you will continue to argue for this child's rights to be upheld and treated humanely.

Your comments are welcomed!

GHRO Inc is a member of the Grenada National Coailition on the Rights of the Child - GNCRC
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ANOTHER CONCERN:

The issue of Police brutality/harassment is also another growing concern for human rights defenders in Grenada. Below is an article which highlights GHRO's position.

POLICE WORIES ON CIVILIANS

The local human rights group, Grenada Human Rights Organization Inc. (GHRO Inc.) has expressed concern regarding the increasing allegations of police harassments on civilian and the general breakdown of law and order in the country.

President of GHRO Inc. Mr. Milton J. Coy said since the beginning of the year, there have been numerous incidents reports in the local newspapers of police harassments or in some cases police brutality. GHRO Inc, Coy said, will express these concerns to the Ministry of National Security and all relevant bodies.

The local group has been monitoring the increasing reports in the newspapers and believes that it is cause for concern. The organization is expected to publish a full report on police brutality on its web site; ghroinc.tripod.com, Coy said.

Following are examples of the reports in the local media. The Informer dated Friday 4th February 2005 Page 4: Disabled cries shame on Police - reports Kimony LaTouche from Winsdor Forest, St. David;s said he was shocked at the"callous" manner in which he was handled by an Inspector of Police while trying to "make a honest dollar". LaTouche moves on two crutches and sells for the tourists.

An editorial in the Informer, on page 3, in its Friday 21st January edition, captioned: Police under the microscope, said "law abiding citizens are expressing serious concerns about that trend. The 'trend' referred to is that there was a general feeling that the police was loosing control. The Informer's back page headline reads: Bus driver takes issue with Police complains about the police not exercising discretion in the fulfillment of their duties. Busmen view the police behavior as a lack of discretion and calls for "a greater level of tolerance" in situations where they are called upon to dispense law and order. The March 25th edition of the Informer reported a complaint from a Happy Hill grandmother who is seeking help from the police, following the shooting of the father of two year old Lerona, in Grand Anse, St. George's. "She (the Grandmother) told the Informer that she is very sorry to learn of Leron being shot by the police and having to loose his leg." The paper added that she is calling on "Beast" to now assist in the maintenance of young Lerona as her mother is unemployed and pregnant and unable to properly attend to the little girl.

GHRO Inc reminds local law enforcement officers that there are international standards endorsed by the United Nations for the effective practice for law and order.

The '10 Basic Human Rights Standards for Law Enforcement Officials' were prepared by Amnesty International in association with police officials and experts from different countries. They are based on United Nations law enforcement, criminal justice and human rights standards. GHRO Inc strongly urge the local law enforcement agency - the Royal Grenada Police Force to adopt these basic standards as Grenada seeks to rebuild "better" during this recovery process. Basic Standard 3: says:

Do not use force except when strictly necessary and to the minimum extent required under the circumstances

The implementation of Basic Standard 3 involves, among other things, that Police officers, in carrying out their duty, should apply non-violent means as far as possible before resorting to the use of force. They may use force only if other means remain ineffective or without any promise of achieving the necessary result. Basic Standard 3 must be implemented in accordance with Basic Standard 4 and 5.

Whenever the lawful use of force is unavoidable, police officers must: Exercise restraint in such use and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offence and the legitimate objective to be achieved;

Minimize damage and injury, and respect and preserve human life; Ensure that all possible assistance and medical aid are rendered to any injured or affected persons at the earliest possible moment; Ensure that relatives or close friends of the injured or affected person are notified at the earliest possible moment; Where injury or death is caused by the use of force by police officers, they shall report the incident promptly to their superiors, who should ensure that proper investigations of all such incidents are carried out.