GENEVA/GEORGETOWN — On 19 and 20 November, government representatives from across the Caribbean region, together with the President of the Human Rights Council, Vojislav Šuc of Slovenia, will gather in Georgetown, Guyana to participate in an unprecedented meeting to discuss ways to maximize their engagement with the Geneva-based Council, the United Nations’ body responding to all human rights situations across the globe. The unique event marks the first official visit by a President of the Human Rights Council to the region, and will be opened by Moses Nagamootoo, Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

The two-day workshop, organized by the Trust Fund to Support the Participation of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the work of the Human Rights Council, of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Government of Guyana, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, will provide a unique opportunity for officials of the 14 member States of CARICOM to interact, exchange information, experiences and ideas on how to better engage with the Geneva-based Council.

Some 40 participants, who include senior Government officials from Guyana, and Colin Granderson, Assistant Secretary-General of CARICOM, will identify and document good practices that can further enhance and strengthen the effective participation of their respective countries in the Human Rights Council, both nationally and regionally. “Only six of the 14 countries in the Caribbean region have a permanent mission in Geneva. It is therefore essential that those unable to attend our meetings in Geneva have their voices heard which will enhance our efforts to promote universality in our work.  Thanks to the Trust Fund and this gathering in the Guyanese capitol, this is becoming a reality”, stated Ambassador Šuc…[+]