Tag: discrimination

Caribbean Observatory calls for repeal of discriminatory laws infringing LGBTQ+ rights

July 7, 2022

The Caribbean Observatory on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights is an accredited member of the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation and the International Planned Parenthood Federation. It is a civil society-led initiative to conduct social monitoring and track progress towards the advancement of integrated  SRHR and gender-based violence (GBV) in the region while advocating for improved … More Caribbean Observatory calls for repeal of discriminatory laws infringing LGBTQ+ rights

The ruling on Nzinga King raises long-standing discrimination issues in Jamaica

February 11, 2022

It has not been a good week; not for the environment (permits were issued for the mining in Cockpit Country to go ahead) – or for human rights. On Wednesday, February 9, after a wait of around seven months, our Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn announced that she is recommending that no criminal … More The ruling on Nzinga King raises long-standing discrimination issues in Jamaica

Jamaica needs to step up its inclusion of persons with disabilities in 2022

December 5, 2021

Yesterday (December 3) was the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and I am glad my friend and blogger Wayne Campbell wrote about it. You can find his post here. It took Jamaica seven years to bring the Disabilities Act into force after it was passed by Parliament in 2014; this will finally happen in … More Jamaica needs to step up its inclusion of persons with disabilities in 2022

Black Lives Matter: BirdsCaribbean Stands in Solidarity

June 5, 2020

Dear Members of the BirdsCaribbean Community, Recent, tragic events serve as a stark reminder that racism and racial injustices continue to tear apart and divide communities around the world. Direct and indirect violence, discrimination, and oppression against black people cannot be tolerated. Our hearts go out to those that have been—and continue to be—hurt and … More Black Lives Matter: BirdsCaribbean Stands in Solidarity

Unfair and Unequal: New UNDP Report Sheds Light on Discontent in Latin America and the Caribbean

December 10, 2019

Well, not so much the Caribbean, you might think. However, in case we had not noticed, there have been rumblings in Dominica of late (politics and then some), and Haiti has seen a year of protests. As I noted in my previous post, “Poor People Fed Up”! There is a lot of discontent, in particular … More Unfair and Unequal: New UNDP Report Sheds Light on Discontent in Latin America and the Caribbean

Human Rights Day in Jamaica: Against a Background of the Arts, Much to Be Done

December 11, 2018

Human Rights Day this year was particularly significant for the world. We have to think “world” on Human Rights Day, and then get out our magnifying glasses and zoom in on a map of Jamaica and the Caribbean. For all of us, it was the 70th Anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of … More Human Rights Day in Jamaica: Against a Background of the Arts, Much to Be Done

Health Ministry Delivers Complaint Management System Manual, Toolkit

July 5, 2018

The issue of discrimination in our healthcare system, especially against vulnerable populations such as those living with HIV and the LGBT community, has been a major concern for as long as I can remember. I am really pleased to see that there is now a formal system in place to address this, with USAID funding. … More Health Ministry Delivers Complaint Management System Manual, Toolkit

Can We Leave “Political Tribalism” Behind? National Integrity Action Rejects Everald Warmington’s Remarks

October 18, 2017

In my commentary on the past week’s events in Jamaica, I noted: “Thumbs down to Everald Warmington, M.P., who made some very undemocratic remarks on the political hustings.” When are Jamaican politicians going to eschew political tribalism? When are they going to stop encouraging this mindset among their supporters?  Here is what National Integrity Action (NIA) … More Can We Leave “Political Tribalism” Behind? National Integrity Action Rejects Everald Warmington’s Remarks