Hon. Jamahl Strachan addresses the High-Level Segment of the 49th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Press Release
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nassau, The Bahamas
3 March 2022
Hon. Jamahl Strachan, MP, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addresses the High-Level Segment of the 49th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
On Thursday, 3 March 2022, speaking via video-message, the Hon. Jamahl Strachan, MP, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a national statement during the High-Level Segment (HLS) of the 49th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). Also participating in the HLS were some 100 Heads of State and Government, Ministers and other dignitaries.
The Human Rights Council is the primary intergovernmental body of the United Nations responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights at the global level.
As the youngest Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary Strachan conveyed that his participation in the Session was a testament to the commitment of the Government to full inclusivity, including of youth, in decision-making in the country.
Turning to the global human rights situation, Parliamentary Secretary Strachan characterised this as a “mounting tide of complex, global economic, social and environmental challenges”. In this regard, the Government of The Bahamas expressed solidarity with the people of Ukraine and reaffirmed that the recent military escalation by the Russian Federation on the Ukrainian territory is “unlawful and should be reversed”. The Bahamas called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and encouraged dialogue toward a peaceful settlement to the conflict.
Parliamentary Secretary Strachan noted that many nations found themselves “not on a straight road to sustainable recovery but, rather, a roundabout”, underscoring that, beyond the pandemic, climate change was resulting in seemingly endless recurring patterns of recovery and rebuilding which were directly threatening human rights and compounding debt burdens. Furthermore, he underscored the need for “more innovative partnerships, financing and debt solutions, including debt-for-climate adaptation swaps and access to affordable finance”. It was also conveyed that vaccine inequity and gender discrimination were persistent challenges and that The Bahamas was committed to leaving no one behind, including the most vulnerable in society.
The rights of People of African Descent also featured in the statement and Parliamentary Secretary Strachan highlighted the importance of the candidacy of Ms Gaynel Curry, a Bahamian national and endorsed CARICOM candidate for appointment to the Permanent Forum of People of African Descent.
Parliamentary Secretary Strachan closed with the charge that, “It is time to get off the roundabout of rebuilding and recovery.” Towards this end, The Bahamas looked forward to joining with the international community to facilitate “straight paths” to sustainable recovery, development and the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
The 49th Session of the Human Rights Council is taking place in a hybrid format in Geneva, Switzerland, during the period 28 February to 1 April 2022. H.E. Mr Federico Villegas, Argentina’s Ambassador in Geneva, was elected to serve as President of the Human Rights Council for 2022.
In 2018, The Bahamas was elected to serve as a Member of the Human Rights Council for a three-year term from 2019-2021. The Bahamas is the first Member State of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and one of only a few Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to have been elected to the HRC and to serve on its Bureau.