Seychelles committed to boosting its human rights institutions |30 May 2015

After a working session with the government of Seychelles in June 2014, The Commonwealth gathered all stakeholders in a two-day national consultation on ‘How to bring Seychelles’ Protection of Human Rights Act 2009 into compliance with the Paris Principles’.

The consultation took place on Wednesday and Thursday this week at the Eden Bleu Hotel.
The Paris Principles relate to the status and functioning of national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights and it draws also a comprehensive series of recommendations on the role, composition, status and functions of national human rights institutions (NHRIs). NHRIs are periodically reviewed and assessed by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights under the auspices of its sub-committee on accreditation.

The aim of this consultation was to strengthen the National Human Rights Commission which makes its first application for accreditation and succeeds in obtaining the coveted ‘A’ grade.

Speaking at the launch of the consultation, Ralph Agrippine, director general of protocol, treaties, and consular affairs, said Seychelles is now evermore committed to seeing the effective and efficient fulfillment of human rights of all persons living on our islands, without distinction of any kind -- that is regardless of gender, race, religious and political beliefs, and economic standing -- in an effort to enrich democracy and enhance cohesion in society.

He added that our NHRI exists as a hybrid institution, as opposed to a standalone structure as it performs a dual mandate, combining the promotion and protection of human rights with prevention of maladministration and corruption and promotion of good governance.

For her part, Karen McKenzie, head of human rights at the Commonwealth secretariat, said: “The human rights team of the Commonwealth secretariat can now speak of a deepened and trusted relationship and partnership with the government of Seychelles. As one of our small island member states, our work with government is of a model nature and we are sincerely appreciative of the political will which has accompanied our recommendations for strengthening and advancing the rights protection and promotion agenda in the country.”

She further noted that NHRIs are key mechanisms of strong and effective systems of human rights protection and promotion at the national level.
“They are responsible for promoting, monitoring and facilitating not only the implementation of national human rights laws, but also international agreements and standards,” she said.

“They serve a critical and varied purpose. They educate the public on their rights; receive and investigate individual rights complaints; conduct public inquiries; provide advice to parliament, government and other competent authorities; and build bridges between government and civil society,” she added.

She said that in furtherance of these commitments, the Commonwealth secretariat’s strategic plan includes an intermediate outcome relating to the establishment, operationalisation and strengthening of national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles.

“Accordingly, my team and I are supporting the establishment of NHRIs in Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Lesotho. We are also working in partnership with the governments of Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Swaziland to strengthen existing institutions and make them compliant with the Paris Principles,” said Ms McKenzie.

The head of National Human Rights Commission in Seychelles, Dora Zatte, spoke of the commission’s financial constraints and the fact that it relies a lot on government funding.
“We do receive a lot of complaints but after investigations some are valid and some are not,” she remarked, adding that there is a need to reinforce the commission.

The Commonwealth team is in Seychelles this week to take forward its compact of technical assistance and cooperation with government. This includes strengthening the capacities of the Seychelles Human Rights Treaty Committee to prepare for the 2nd cycle universal periodic review, as well as to co-facilitate the consultation.

The Commonwealth delegation includes Advocate John Walters, Ombudsman of Namibia and Dheerujlall Seetulsingh, chairperson of the Human Rights Commissions in Mauritius. Both institutions are fully compliant with the Paris Principles and are thus accredited at ‘A’.

Among the local personalities who attended the consultation were the acting Chief Justice Durai Karunakaran; members of the diplomatic corps and of the National Assembly; Ambassador for Women and Children, Dr Erna Athanasius; and members of the National Human Rights Commission.