Rodrigues-Birkett talks crime, human rights at OAS meeting

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett was last Thursday received at the Organisation of American States (OAS) where she discussed with top officials there human rights and fighting organised crime.
OAS Permanent Council Chair and permanent representative of Nicaragua, Ambassador Denis Moncada, and OAS chief-of-staff of the secretary general, Ambassador Hugo de Zela, representing Secretary General Insulza, received Rodrigues-Birkett, at the organisation’s headquarters in Washington, DC.
During the meeting, they discussed the importance of the OAS Electoral Observation Missions in the hemisphere and the report on the drug problem in the Americas, which is being prepared by the OAS under the supervision of Secretary General Insulza, and which emanates from a mandate of the sixth summit of the Americas, held last year in Cartagena, Colombia. They also talked about the basic aspects of the ongoing debate among member states on the Inter-American System of Human Rights (IASHR), a process that will end with an OAS General Assembly on March 22.
The meeting also touched on the different programmes of the OAS in the region, especially in the Caribbean, in accordance with the organisation’s four pillars: democracy, human rights, development and security. Foreign Minister Rodrigues-Birkett also highlighted the efforts of Guyana in terms of the protection of its citizens and the fight against organised crime. Later, the Permanent Council of the OAS held a special meeting with the minister. In her opening address, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett focused on the history of her country, recalling that this week marks the anniversary of the Berbice slave rebellion 250 years ago, “an event of historic importance” for Guyanese society.
Upon similar lines, she highlighted that today, “just 20 years since Guyana achieved democratic rule, the country has undergone a transformation” with important achievements in its economy, social development and integration with the region, among other feats.
“None of these developments would have transpired had Guyana not received support and solidarity from member states from the hemisphere and benefited from the work of the OAS in the promotion of democracy,” said the minister, making special mention of “the work of the OAS electoral observation missions which have been fielded in Guyana, and which have played a role in ensuring free, fair and democratic elections”.
Upholding democracy
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett highlighted the importance that her country places on multilateralism, and mentioned the role played by Guyana in several regional organisations, “all of which have important agendas,” she said.
Nevertheless, she added, “the most outstanding accomplishments over the years in strengthening and upholding democracy, human rights, integral development and security have been achieved by this organisation.”
For that reason, she added, “the OAS is and will remain the hemisphere’s indispensable platform for dialogue, the promotion of cooperation, sharing best practices, confidence building and problem solving.”
The minister also said “the imperatives of our time are the legitimate needs of our peoples for security and prosperity. Nations, whether small and vulnerable or large and strong, must be able to stand shoulder- to- shoulder and count on the solidarity of each other to confront the challenges of today. We, the guardians of our peoples’ interests, must summon the commitment, flexibility and solidarity that is needed to achieve their just aspirations.”
De Zela, representing Secretary General Insulza, highlighted the “unique role” of Guyana “as a bridge between the Caribbean and South America”, given that it is the only English-speaking country in South America. Ambassador de Zela said that “building citizenship, giving citizens more opportunities and creating a safe environment for the full development of the people are goals we all share, and are core values of this organisation.”
Ambassador de Zela noted that Minister Rodrigues-Birkett has made constant efforts to achieve “meaningful integration, one that promotes sustainable development and social inclusion for the benefit of our citizens.”
“The OAS stands ready,” he said, “to support the efforts of our member states in furthering their commitments to the promotion and consolidation of democracy and development for the citizens of the Americas.”
Moncada opened the meeting and welcomed the minister, saying her time as foreign minister of Guyana “has been marked by the strengthening of relations with its neighbours, which has allowed the development of major joint undertakings in areas such as maritime security and climate change, food security, and financial stability”. (Excerpt from Guyana Times)