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Human Rights Commission says GOB “killing the messenger”

LettersHuman Rights Commission says GOB “killing the messenger”
April 26, 2011
Dear Editor,
 
A human rights defender is a person who stands up and speaks out for the rights of others. Often, in so doing, human rights defenders risk and sometimes sacrifice their own security, safety, livelihood and in some instances, even their lives.
  
Governments around the world often “kill the messenger” rather than acknowledge and deal with the message brought to the forefront by the human rights defender. Also, governments are aware that when a human rights defender is under attack, he is distracted from focusing on the rights of others because he must now defend himself. 
  
Protecting human rights defenders is one significant way to promote and protect human rights. The United Nations and the Organization of American States have both recognized the need to protect human rights defenders.
  
In 1998, the United Nations adopted the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. “The Declaration provides for the support and protection of human rights defenders in the context of their work.” Since 2000, the United Nations has had a Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders who investigates the treatment of human rights defenders around the world.
  
The OAS Declaration says, “The work of human rights defenders is fundamental for the universal implementation of … rights, and for the full existence of democracy and the rule of law. Today, …the work of human rights defenders continues to be essential for the process of strengthening democracies.”
  
Moses Sulph is a human rights defender. He and members of COLA ,along with Mrs. Yolanda Shakron, Mrs. Joan Sutherland and others from Belizeans for Justice, have been standing up and speaking out for the rights of others in the finest tradition of human rights defenders. Mr. Sulph and others have taken to the street and the podium addressing crime, victims’ rights, abuse of authority, disparity in land distribution and other pressing human rights issues in Belize.
  
It appears to many that Moses Sulph has lost his job with the government as a consequence of his activism and outspoken concern for the rights of others; in other words, because he is a human rights defender.
  
Since no reason was given for his dismissal and considering his recent vocal positions, it is difficult to reach a different conclusion. Moses Sulph is entitled, as are we all, to the fundamental rights to equality, freedom of expression, association, and assembly. Our Constitution guarantees Mr. Sulph these rights regardless of his political opinion.
  
If, in fact, the firing of Moses Sulph is due to his activism, the firing is a violation of his rights.
  
HRCB is in solidarity with Mr. Sulph, his union and other trade unions opposing this and other unfair dismissals. We support Mr. Sulph’s efforts to be reinstated. HRCB takes this opportunity to also express its deep distress about the attempts to intimidate and attack Mrs. Shakron and before her, Mrs. Sutherland of Belizeans for Justice. These efforts must be seen as violent attacks on the rights of us all to speak out and stand up in a free society.
  
We urge the Police Department to vigorously investigate these matters and arrest the perpetrators. We further urge those in authority to appreciate and take very seriously their duty to protect human rights defenders in accordance with internationally recognized norms and standards.
 
Sincerely,
Board of Directors, Human Rights Commission of Belize

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