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MEXICAN AMBASSADOR WILL STRIVE TOWARDS AN EFFECTIVE DEMOCRACY

During his first speech to the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS), the new Permanent Representative of Mexico, Gustavo Albin Santos, stated that “the strengthening of democracy requires going past effective suffrage to an effective democracy.”

To attain this, he said, it is essential to “diminish the distance that exists between citizens and their representatives, promoting accountability, transparency and governance, as well as the participation of committed and involved citizens.”

The Mexican diplomat added that the head-on fight against poverty and social exclusion, as well the enduring promotion of sustainable development, are indispensable elements for the consolidation of democracy. “I therefore reiterate here, my country’s commitment with the Democratic Charter, its principles and objectives, as well as the drafting of a Social Charter that will aid the legitimate economic, social and cultural rights of our people,” he said.

Albin also told the Permanent Council, which was chaired by Ambassador Deborah-Mae Lovell, of Antigua and Barbuda, that his country will continue supporting the promotion and protection of human rights.

“Mexico recognizes the OAS as the pre-eminent political hemispheric forum and a permanent space for the promotion of dialogue and cooperation aimed at the consolidation of an inter-American architecture resting on the pillars of democracy, cooperation, integral development, multidimensional security, human rights and the peaceful solution to controversies,” he stated.

Ambassador Albin presented his credentials to OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza on September 13.

During the same session of the Permanent Council, Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin paid tribute to the late Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Sir John George Melvin Compton, saying that he will be remembered as a man “of great conviction, personal integrity, spiritual generosity and strong character.”

Later on, Dr. Hilary Beckles, professor of the University of the West Indies, made a presentation within the framework of the commemoration of the Bicentennial of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Several permanent representatives made heart-felt comments related to his remarks.

Finally, the President of the Central American Court of Justice, Dr. Ricardo Acevedo Peralta, addressed the Permanent Council on the First Meeting of International and Regional Courts of Justice of the World, which will take place in Managua, Nicaragua, October 4-5.

Reference: E-233/07