IACHR concludes technical cooperation and promotional visit to Saint Lucia

July 14, 2023

Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Human Rights Commission (IACHR) concluded its technical cooperation and promotional visit to Saint Lucia, which took place from June 27 to 30, 2023.

The visit, led by Mme. President Commissioner Margarette May Macaulay, focused on enhancing the collaboration of the IACHR with State and non-state actors, promoting institutional strengthening through technical cooperation and capacity building on the Inter-American human rights system and its mechanisms, and the universalization of the Inter-American instruments. President May Macaulay who expressed appreciation to the State for facilitating the visit, for its interest in the work of the IACHR, and its willingness to collaborate with the Inter-American system. She noted that at every meeting participation was open and constructive, indicating the depth of interest by participants in the meetings and in the capacity building sessions that were carried out for State and non-state actors. Noting that the visit aligns with IACHR's Strategic Plan 2023-2027, the President emphasized IACHR's commitment to intensify its work in the Caribbean, and to increase technical cooperation, capacity building and with promoting the ratification of major Inter-American conventions relevant to discrimination, racial discrimination, the rights of persons with disabilities and the rights of older persons.

Meetings were held with the executive and legislature branches of government, as well as with non-state actors from civil society. The delegation met with the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, the Attorney General, the Minister of Public Service, Home Affairs, Labor and Gender Affairs, officials of other Ministries, the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Director of the Family Court, the Parliamentary Commissioner and the National Coordinating Committee for Human Rights. Delegates also engaged with various representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs). Training workshops on the Inter-American human rights system were conducted for public officials and CSOs.

The Commission thanks the State of Saint Lucia for its logistical support during the visit and for its commitment to collaborate on capacity building and promoting the Inter-American Standards on human rights. The IACHR would also like to thank all non-state actors for their keen participation in the meetings and training sessions and for sharing valuable information. The IACHR will follow up on all subjects revealed during the visit through its various mechanisms, with emphasis on technical cooperation.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their respective countries of origin or residence.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 156/23

3:37 PM