Seychelles human rights commission hosts first symposium

 In commemoration of International Human Rights Day, the Seychelles Human Rights Commission hosted a symposium ‒ its first public event since its inauguration ‒ at the STC conference room yesterday.

Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10 – the day on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The aims of the symposium were to sensitise/raise awareness on the roles and functions of the Seychelles Human Rights Commission; sensitise/raise awareness on human rights and explore what is meant by the ‘right to dignity’ and disseminate information on that right.

The event was attended by Vice-President Amed Afif who read out a speech on behalf of President Wavel Ramkalawan, Designated Minister Jean-François Ferrari, members of the National Assembly, Ombudsman Nichole Tirant-Gherardi, principal secretaries, deputy commissioner of police Ted Barbé, superintendent of prisons Raymond St Ange, commissioners of the Seychelles Human Rights Commission, human rights focal point persons from various ministries/departments and other partners/stakeholders.

Vice-President Afif conveyed on behalf of President Ramkalawan that “in Seychelles we have had our own challenges. Our short history has shown us how Seychellois have been treated, their rights violated and their dignity shred by actions that many of us still cannot understand. Yet human dignity forms part of and is the fundamental basis of human rights. Much has come about through a tireless effort to bring change and to highlight the need to place human rights at the top of government’s agenda. I pay tribute to the contribution of President Ramkalawan and his struggle for over 30 years to bring greater justice and peace to Seychelles. I also thank the sixth National Assembly for passing in 2018, the law for a Human Rights Commission Act which in 2019 got its life through a commencement notice.”

VP Afif also declared that “this government WILL uphold the importance of human rights as set out in chapter 3 of our constitution”.

“I note with pride the composition of its eminent board through the chairmanship of Judge (Bernardin) Renaud. I thank also all those in Seychelles, past and present, who have helped bring real change to Seychelles. I pay tribute also to TRNUC (Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission) who today tirelessly works to bring healing to our small but deeply hurt nation,” said VP Afif.

Judge Bernardin Renaud, chairperson of the Seychelles Human Rights Commission, stated that this year has been a remarkable one as the SHRC has managed to recruit nine full time staff and is planning to be more active.

“To mark Human Rights Day this year, the Seychelles Human Rights Commission has this week embarked on a series of activities to sensitise the public on this day notably: giving interviews on the radio and on the television and today’s symposium is another important event where we have brought together a group of key stakeholders from various institutions, government departments and civil society,” said Judge Renaud.

He focused his remarks on dignity and its link with human rights. “It all began several decades ago with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which proclaims in Article 1 that: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. This concept was also taken up in the various human rights treaties and it is clear that dignity is the foundation of human rights.  The concept is also enshrined in the preamble of our constitution:  “RECOGNISING the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of members of the human family as the foundation for freedom, justice, welfare, fraternity, peace and unity; REAFFIRMING that these rights include the rights of the individual to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness free from all types of discrimination.”

Judge Renaud continued by stating that dignity is a value tied to our humanity itself. There’s a sense that treating someone humanely means behaving towards them in a way that’s consistent with their humanity. “For other rights, dignity is something that we want to help people achieve. We ensure people have basic rights so that they are able to lead a dignified life. I urge you all to become human rights advocates, so that everyone is treated with the utmost respect and dignity,” concluded Judge Renaud.

During the symposium, there was also a presentation on the roles and mandate of SHRC by the vice-chair Michelle de Lacoudraye-Harter and also an introduction on human rights by George Robert, SHRC’s legal director.

The delegates were able to interact with members of SHRC and get to know more about their roles through a question and answer session.

Vidya Gappy